It is hard to imagine a world without Shakespeare. Since their composition four hundred years ago, Shakespeare’s plays and poems have traveled the globe, inviting those who see and read his works to make them their own.

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I want to express my deep thanks to editors Barbara Mowat and Paul Werstine for creating these indispensable editions of Shakespeare’s works, which incorporate the best of textual scholarship with a richness of commentary that is both inspired and engaging. Readers who want to know more about Shakespeare and his plays can follow the paths these distinguished scholars have tread by visiting the Folger either in-person or online, where a range of physical and digital resources exists to supplement the material in these texts. I commend to you these words, and hope that they inspire.

Michael Witmore
Director, Folger Shakespeare Library

Textual Introduction
By Barbara Mowat and Paul Werstine

Until now, with the release of the Folger Digital Texts, readers in search of a free online text of Shakespeare’s plays had to be content primarily with using the Moby™ Text, which reproduces a late-nineteenth century version of the plays. What is the difference? Many ordinary readers assume that there is a single text for the plays: what Shakespeare wrote. But Shakespeare’s plays were not published the way modern novels or plays are published today: as a single, authoritative text. In some cases, the plays have come down to us in multiple published versions, represented by various Quartos (Qq) and by the great collection put together by his colleagues in 1623, called the First Folio (F). There are, for example, three very different versions of Hamlet, two of King Lear, Henry V, Romeo and Juliet, and others. Editors choose which version to use as their base text, and then amend that text with words, lines or speech prefixes from the other versions that, in their judgment, make for a better or more accurate text.

Other editorial decisions involve choices about whether an unfamiliar word could be understood in light of other writings of the period or whether it should be changed; decisions about words that made it into Shakespeare’s text by accident through four hundred years of printings and misprinting; and even decisions based on cultural preference and taste. When the Moby™ Text was created, for example, it was deemed “improper” and “indecent” for Miranda to chastise Caliban for having attempted to rape her. (See The Tempest, 1.2: “Abhorred slave,/Which any print of goodness wilt not take,/Being capable of all ill! I pitied thee…”). All Shakespeare editors at the time took the speech away from her and gave it to her father, Prospero.

The editors of the Moby™ Shakespeare produced their text long before scholars fully understood the proper grounds on which to make the thousands of decisions that Shakespeare editors face. The Folger Library Shakespeare Editions, on which the Folger Digital Texts depend, make this editorial process as nearly transparent as is possible, in contrast to older texts, like the Moby™, which hide editorial interventions. The reader of the Folger Shakespeare knows where the text has been altered because editorial interventions are signaled by square brackets (for example, from Othello: “If she in chains of magic were not bound,”), half-square brackets (for example, from Henry V: “With blood and sword and fire to win your right,”), or angle brackets (for example, from Hamlet: “O farewell, honest soldier. Who hath relieved/you?”). At any point in the text, you can hover your cursor over a bracket for more information.

Because the Folger Digital Texts are edited in accord with twenty-first century knowledge about Shakespeare’s texts, the Folger here provides them to readers, scholars, teachers, actors, directors, and students, free of charge, confident of their quality as texts of the plays and pleased to be able to make this contribution to the study and enjoyment of Shakespeare.

Synopsis

Set in the city of Ephesus, The Comedy of Errors concerns the farcical misadventures of two sets of identical twins. Many years earlier, the Syracusan merchant Egeon had twin sons, both named Antipholus. At their birth, he bought another pair of newborn twins, both named Dromio, as their servants. In a shipwreck, Egeon lost his wife, one of his sons, and one of the Dromios.

Egeon’s remaining son, Antipholus of Syracuse, and his servant, Dromio of Syracuse, come to Ephesus, where—unknown to them—their lost twins now live. The visitors are confused, angered, or intrigued when local residents seem to know them.

Similarly, Antipholus and Dromio of Ephesus run into puzzling reactions from the people they know—who have been dealing, unwittingly, with the Syracusans. Antipholus of Ephesus’s wife bars him from his house; he is jailed after a jeweler claims he owes money on a gold chain he never received.

When the four twins come together, all is finally resolved. In one last twist, their parents reunite as well.

Characters in the Play

Egeon, a merchant from Syracuse

Solinus, Duke of Ephesus

Antipholus of Syracuse, a traveler in search of his motherand his brother

Dromio of Syracuse, Antipholus of Syracuse’s servant

First Merchant, a citizen of Ephesus

Antipholus of Ephesus, a citizen of Ephesus

Dromio of Ephesus, Antipholus of Ephesus’s servant

Adriana, Antipholus of Ephesus’s wife

Luciana, Adriana’s sister

Luce (also called Nell), kitchen maid betrothed toDromio of Ephesus

Messenger, servant to Antipholus of Ephesus and Adriana

Angelo, an Ephesian goldsmith

Second Merchant, a citizen of Ephesus to whomAngelo owes money

Balthasar, an Ephesian merchant invited to dinnerby Antipholus of Ephesus

Courtesan, hostess of Antipholus of Ephesus at dinner

Dr. Pinch, a schoolmaster, engaged as an exorcist

Officer (also called Jailer), an Ephesian law officer

Lady Abbess (also called Emilia), head of a priory in Ephesus

Attendants, Servants to Pinch, Headsman, Officers

ACT 1

Scene 1

Enter Solinus the Duke of Ephesus, with Egeon theMerchant of Syracuse, Jailer, and other Attendants.

EGEONFTLN 0001Proceed, Solinus, to procure my fall,FTLN 0002And by the doom of death end woes and all.DUKEFTLN 0003Merchant of Syracusa, plead no more.FTLN 0004I am not partial to infringe our laws.FTLN 00055The enmity and discord which of lateFTLN 0006Sprung from the rancorous outrage of your dukeFTLN 0007To merchants, our well-dealing countrymen,FTLN 0008Who, wanting guilders to redeem their lives,FTLN 0009Have sealed his rigorous statutes with their bloods,FTLN 001010Excludes all pity from our threat’ning looks.FTLN 0011For since the mortal and intestine jarsFTLN 0012’Twixt thy seditious countrymen and us,FTLN 0013It hath in solemn synods been decreed,FTLN 0014Both by the Syracusians and ourselves,FTLN 001515To admit no traffic to our adverse towns.FTLN 0016Nay, more, if any born at EphesusFTLN 0017Be seen at Syracusian marts and fairs;FTLN 0018Again, if any Syracusian bornFTLN 0019Come to the bay of Ephesus, he dies,FTLN 002020His goods confiscate to the Duke’s dispose,

7

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FTLN 0021Unless a thousand marks be levièdFTLN 0022To quit the penalty and to ransom him.FTLN 0023Thy substance, valued at the highest rate,FTLN 0024Cannot amount unto a hundred marks;FTLN 002525Therefore by law thou art condemned to die.EGEONFTLN 0026Yet this my comfort: when your words are done,FTLN 0027My woes end likewise with the evening sun.DUKEFTLN 0028Well, Syracusian, say in brief the causeFTLN 0029Why thou departedst from thy native homeFTLN 003030And for what cause thou cam’st to Ephesus.EGEONFTLN 0031A heavier task could not have been imposedFTLN 0032Than I to speak my griefs unspeakable;FTLN 0033Yet, that the world may witness that my endFTLN 0034Was wrought by nature, not by vile offense,FTLN 003535I’ll utter what my sorrow gives me leave.FTLN 0036In Syracusa was I born, and wedFTLN 0037Unto a woman happy but for me,FTLN 0038And by me, had not our hap been bad.FTLN 0039With her I lived in joy. Our wealth increasedFTLN 004040By prosperous voyages I often madeFTLN 0041To Epidamium, till my factor’s deathFTLN 0042And the great care of goods at random leftFTLN 0043Drew me from kind embracements of my spouse;FTLN 0044From whom my absence was not six months oldFTLN 004545Before herself—almost at fainting underFTLN 0046The pleasing punishment that women bear—FTLN 0047Had made provision for her following meFTLN 0048And soon and safe arrivèd where I was.FTLN 0049There had she not been long but she becameFTLN 005050A joyful mother of two goodly sons,FTLN 0051And, which was strange, the one so like the otherFTLN 0052As could not be distinguished but by names.

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FTLN 0053That very hour, and in the selfsame inn,FTLN 0054A mean woman was deliverèdFTLN 005555Of such a burden, male twins, both alike.FTLN 0056Those, for their parents were exceeding poor,FTLN 0057I bought and brought up to attend my sons.FTLN 0058My wife, not meanly proud of two such boys,FTLN 0059Made daily motions for our home return.FTLN 006060Unwilling, I agreed. Alas, too soonFTLN 0061We came aboard.FTLN 0062A league from Epidamium had we sailedFTLN 0063Before the always-wind-obeying deepFTLN 0064Gave any tragic instance of our harm;FTLN 006565But longer did we not retain much hope,FTLN 0066For what obscurèd light the heavens did grantFTLN 0067Did but convey unto our fearful mindsFTLN 0068A doubtful warrant of immediate death,FTLN 0069Which though myself would gladly have embraced,FTLN 007070Yet the incessant weepings of my wife,FTLN 0071Weeping before for what she saw must come,FTLN 0072And piteous plainings of the pretty babes,FTLN 0073That mourned for fashion, ignorant what to fear,FTLN 0074Forced me to seek delays for them and me.FTLN 007575And this it was, for other means was none:FTLN 0076The sailors sought for safety by our boatFTLN 0077And left the ship, then sinking-ripe, to us.FTLN 0078My wife, more careful for the latter-born,FTLN 0079Had fastened him unto a small spare mast,FTLN 008080Such as seafaring men provide for storms.FTLN 0081To him one of the other twins was bound,FTLN 0082Whilst I had been like heedful of the other.FTLN 0083The children thus disposed, my wife and I,FTLN 0084Fixing our eyes on whom our care was fixed,FTLN 008585Fastened ourselves at either end the mastFTLN 0086And, floating straight, obedient to the stream,FTLN 0087Was carried towards Corinth, as we thought.

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ACT 1. SC. 1

FTLN 0088At length the sun, gazing upon the earth,FTLN 0089Dispersed those vapors that offended us,FTLN 009090And by the benefit of his wished lightFTLN 0091The seas waxed calm, and we discoverèdFTLN 0092Two ships from far, making amain to us,FTLN 0093Of Corinth that, of Epidaurus this.FTLN 0094But ere they came—O, let me say no more!FTLN 009595Gather the sequel by that went before.DUKEFTLN 0096Nay, forward, old man. Do not break off so,FTLN 0097For we may pity though not pardon thee.EGEONFTLN 0098O, had the gods done so, I had not nowFTLN 0099Worthily termed them merciless to us.FTLN 0100100For, ere the ships could meet by twice five leagues,FTLN 0101We were encountered by a mighty rock,FTLN 0102Which being violently borne upon,FTLN 0103Our helpful ship was splitted in the midst;FTLN 0104So that, in this unjust divorce of us,FTLN 0105105Fortune had left to both of us alikeFTLN 0106What to delight in, what to sorrow for.FTLN 0107Her part, poor soul, seeming as burdenèdFTLN 0108With lesser weight, but not with lesser woe,FTLN 0109Was carried with more speed before the wind,FTLN 0110110And in our sight they three were taken upFTLN 0111By fishermen of Corinth, as we thought.FTLN 0112At length, another ship had seized on usFTLN 0113And, knowing whom it was their hap to save,FTLN 0114Gave healthful welcome to their shipwracked guests,FTLN 0115115And would have reft the fishers of their preyFTLN 0116Had not their bark been very slow of sail;FTLN 0117And therefore homeward did they bend their course.FTLN 0118Thus have you heard me severed from my bliss,FTLN 0119That by misfortunes was my life prolongedFTLN 0120120To tell sad stories of my own mishaps.

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DUKEFTLN 0121And for the sake of them thou sorrowest for,FTLN 0122Do me the favor to dilate at fullFTLN 0123What have befall’n of them and thee till now.EGEONFTLN 0124My youngest boy, and yet my eldest care,FTLN 0125125At eighteen years became inquisitiveFTLN 0126After his brother, and importuned meFTLN 0127That his attendant—so his case was like,FTLN 0128Reft of his brother, but retained his name—FTLN 0129Might bear him company in the quest of him,FTLN 0130130Whom whilst I labored of a love to see,FTLN 0131I hazarded the loss of whom I loved.FTLN 0132Five summers have I spent in farthest Greece,FTLN 0133Roaming clean through the bounds of Asia,FTLN 0134And, coasting homeward, came to Ephesus,FTLN 0135135Hopeless to find, yet loath to leave unsoughtFTLN 0136Or that or any place that harbors men.FTLN 0137But here must end the story of my life;FTLN 0138And happy were I in my timely deathFTLN 0139Could all my travels warrant me they live.DUKEFTLN 0140140Hapless Egeon, whom the fates have markedFTLN 0141To bear the extremity of dire mishap,FTLN 0142Now, trust me, were it not against our laws,FTLN 0143Against my crown, my oath, my dignity,FTLN 0144Which princes, would they, may not disannul,FTLN 0145145My soul should sue as advocate for thee.FTLN 0146But though thou art adjudgèd to the death,FTLN 0147And passèd sentence may not be recalledFTLN 0148But to our honor’s great disparagement,FTLN 0149Yet will I favor thee in what I can.FTLN 0150150Therefore, merchant, I’ll limit thee this dayFTLN 0151To seek thy life by beneficial help.FTLN 0152Try all the friends thou hast in Ephesus;FTLN 0153Beg thou, or borrow, to make up the sum,

FIRST MERCHANTFTLN 0159Therefore give out you are of Epidamium,FTLN 0160Lest that your goods too soon be confiscate.FTLN 0161This very day a Syracusian merchantFTLN 0162Is apprehended for arrival hereFTLN 01635And, not being able to buy out his life,FTLN 0164According to the statute of the townFTLN 0165Dies ere the weary sun set in the west.FTLN 0166There is your money that I had to keep.He gives money.ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE, handing money to DromioFTLN 0167Go bear it to the Centaur, where we host,FTLN 016810And stay there, Dromio, till I come to thee.FTLN 0169Within this hour it will be dinnertime.FTLN 0170Till that, I’ll view the manners of the town,FTLN 0171Peruse the traders, gaze upon the buildings,FTLN 0172And then return and sleep within mine inn,FTLN 017315For with long travel I am stiff and weary.FTLN 0174Get thee away.DROMIO OFSYRACUSEFTLN 0175Many a man would take you at your wordFTLN 0176And go indeed, having so good a mean.Dromio of Syracuse exits.

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The Comedy of Errors

ACT 1. SC. 2

ANTIPHOLUS OFSYRACUSEFTLN 0177A trusty villain, sir, that very oft,FTLN 017820When I am dull with care and melancholy,FTLN 0179Lightens my humor with his merry jests.FTLN 0180What, will you walk with me about the townFTLN 0181And then go to my inn and dine with me?FIRST MERCHANTFTLN 0182I am invited, sir, to certain merchants,FTLN 018325Of whom I hope to make much benefit.FTLN 0184I crave your pardon. Soon at five o’clock,FTLN 0185Please you, I’ll meet with you upon the martFTLN 0186And afterward consort you till bedtime.FTLN 0187My present business calls me from you now.ANTIPHOLUS OFSYRACUSEFTLN 018830Farewell till then. I will go lose myselfFTLN 0189And wander up and down to view the city.FIRST MERCHANTFTLN 0190Sir, I commend you to your own content.He exits.ANTIPHOLUS OFSYRACUSEFTLN 0191He that commends me to mine own contentFTLN 0192Commends me to the thing I cannot get.FTLN 019335I to the world am like a drop of waterFTLN 0194That in the ocean seeks another drop,FTLN 0195Who, falling there to find his fellow forth,FTLN 0196Unseen, inquisitive, confounds himself.FTLN 0197So I, to find a mother and a brother,FTLN 019840In quest of them, unhappy, lose myself.

Enter Dromio of Ephesus.

FTLN 0199Here comes the almanac of my true date.—FTLN 0200What now? How chance thou art returned so soon?DROMIO OF EPHESUSFTLN 0201Returned so soon? Rather approached too late!FTLN 0202The capon burns; the pig falls from the spit;FTLN 020345The clock hath strucken twelve upon the bell;FTLN 0204My mistress made it one upon my cheek.

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ACT 1. SC. 2

FTLN 0205She is so hot because the meat is cold;FTLN 0206The meat is cold because you come not home;FTLN 0207You come not home because you have no stomach;FTLN 020850You have no stomach, having broke your fast.FTLN 0209But we that know what ’tis to fast and prayFTLN 0210Are penitent for your default today.ANTIPHOLUS OFSYRACUSEFTLN 0211Stop in your wind, sir. Tell me this, I pray:FTLN 0212Where have you left the money that I gave you?DROMIO OF EPHESUSFTLN 021355O, sixpence that I had o’ Wednesday lastFTLN 0214To pay the saddler for my mistress’ crupper?FTLN 0215The saddler had it, sir; I kept it not.ANTIPHOLUS OFSYRACUSEFTLN 0216I am not in a sportive humor now.FTLN 0217Tell me, and dally not: where is the money?FTLN 021860We being strangers here, how dar’st thou trustFTLN 0219So great a charge from thine own custody?DROMIO OF EPHESUSFTLN 0220I pray you, jest, sir, as you sit at dinner.FTLN 0221I from my mistress come to you in post;FTLN 0222If I return, I shall be post indeed,FTLN 022365For she will scour your fault upon my pate.FTLN 0224Methinks your maw, like mine, should be yourFTLN 0225clock,FTLN 0226And strike you home without a messenger.ANTIPHOLUS OFSYRACUSEFTLN 0227Come, Dromio, come, these jests are out of season.FTLN 022870Reserve them till a merrier hour than this.FTLN 0229Where is the gold I gave in charge to thee?DROMIO OF EPHESUSFTLN 0230To me, sir? Why, you gave no gold to me!ANTIPHOLUS OFSYRACUSEFTLN 0231Come on, sir knave, have done your foolishness,FTLN 0232And tell me how thou hast disposed thy charge.

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The Comedy of Errors

ACT 1. SC. 2

DROMIO OF EPHESUSFTLN 023375My charge was but to fetch you from the martFTLN 0234Home to your house, the Phoenix, sir, to dinner.FTLN 0235My mistress and her sister stays for you.ANTIPHOLUS OFSYRACUSEFTLN 0236Now, as I am a Christian, answer meFTLN 0237In what safe place you have bestowed my money,FTLN 023880Or I shall break that merry sconce of yoursFTLN 0239That stands on tricks when I am undisposed.FTLN 0240Where is the thousand marks thou hadst of me?DROMIO OF EPHESUSFTLN 0241I have some marks of yours upon my pate,FTLN 0242Some of my mistress’ marks upon my shoulders,FTLN 024385But not a thousand marks between you both.FTLN 0244If I should pay your Worship those again,FTLN 0245Perchance you will not bear them patiently.ANTIPHOLUS OFSYRACUSEFTLN 0246Thy mistress’ marks? What mistress, slave, hastFTLN 0247thou?DROMIO OF EPHESUSFTLN 024890Your Worship’s wife, my mistress at the Phoenix,FTLN 0249She that doth fast till you come home to dinnerFTLN 0250And prays that you will hie you home to dinner.ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE, beating DromioFTLN 0251What, wilt thou flout me thus unto my face,FTLN 0252Being forbid? There, take you that, sir knave.DROMIO OF EPHESUSFTLN 025395What mean you, sir? For God’s sake, hold yourFTLN 0254hands.FTLN 0255Nay, an you will not, sir, I’ll take my heels.Dromio of Ephesus exits.ANTIPHOLUS OFSYRACUSEFTLN 0256Upon my life, by some device or otherFTLN 0257The villain is o’erraught of all my money.FTLN 0258100They say this town is full of cozenage,FTLN 0259As nimble jugglers that deceive the eye,

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The Comedy of Errors

ACT 1. SC. 2

FTLN 0260Dark-working sorcerers that change the mind,FTLN 0261Soul-killing witches that deform the body,FTLN 0262Disguisèd cheaters, prating mountebanks,FTLN 0263105And many suchlike liberties of sin.FTLN 0264If it prove so, I will be gone the sooner.FTLN 0265I’ll to the Centaur to go seek this slave.FTLN 0266I greatly fear my money is not safe.He exits.

ACT 2

Scene1

Enter Adriana, wife to Antipholus of Ephesus, withLuciana, her sister.

ADRIANAFTLN 0267Neither my husband nor the slave returnedFTLN 0268That in such haste I sent to seek his master?FTLN 0269Sure, Luciana, it is two o’clock.LUCIANAFTLN 0270Perhaps some merchant hath invited him,FTLN 02715And from the mart he’s somewhere gone to dinner.FTLN 0272Good sister, let us dine, and never fret.FTLN 0273A man is master of his liberty;FTLN 0274Time is their master, and when they see timeFTLN 0275They’ll go or come. If so, be patient, sister.ADRIANAFTLN 027610Why should their liberty than ours be more?LUCIANAFTLN 0277Because their business still lies out o’ door.ADRIANAFTLN 0278Look when I serve him so, he takes it ill.LUCIANAFTLN 0279O, know he is the bridle of your will.ADRIANAFTLN 0280There’s none but asses will be bridled so.LUCIANAFTLN 028115Why, headstrong liberty is lashed with woe.

29

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The Comedy of Errors

ACT 2. SC. 1

FTLN 0282There’s nothing situate under heaven’s eyeFTLN 0283But hath his bound in earth, in sea, in sky.FTLN 0284The beasts, the fishes, and the wingèd fowlsFTLN 0285Are their males’ subjects and at their controls.FTLN 028620Man, more divine, the master of all these,FTLN 0287Lord of the wide world and wild wat’ry seas,FTLN 0288Endued with intellectual sense and souls,FTLN 0289Of more preeminence than fish and fowls,FTLN 0290Are masters to their females, and their lords.FTLN 029125Then let your will attend on their accords.ADRIANAFTLN 0292This servitude makes you to keep unwed.LUCIANAFTLN 0293Not this, but troubles of the marriage bed.ADRIANAFTLN 0294But, were you wedded, you would bear some sway.LUCIANAFTLN 0295Ere I learn love, I’ll practice to obey.ADRIANAFTLN 029630How if your husband start some otherwhere?LUCIANAFTLN 0297Till he come home again, I would forbear.ADRIANAFTLN 0298Patience unmoved! No marvel though she pause;FTLN 0299They can be meek that have no other cause.FTLN 0300A wretched soul bruised with adversityFTLN 030135We bid be quiet when we hear it cry,FTLN 0302But were we burdened with like weight of pain,FTLN 0303As much or more we should ourselves complain.FTLN 0304So thou, that hast no unkind mate to grieve thee,FTLN 0305With urging helpless patience would relieve me;FTLN 030640But if thou live to see like right bereft,FTLN 0307This fool-begged patience in thee will be left.LUCIANAFTLN 0308Well, I will marry one day, but to try.FTLN 0309Here comes your man. Now is your husband nigh.

FTLN 0337“My mistress, sir,” quoth I. “Hang up thy mistress!FTLN 0338I know not thy mistress. Out on thy mistress!”LUCIANAFTLN 0339Quoth who?DROMIO OF EPHESUSFTLN 0340Quoth my master.FTLN 034175“I know,” quoth he, “no house, no wife, noFTLN 0342mistress.”FTLN 0343So that my errand, due unto my tongue,FTLN 0344I thank him, I bare home upon my shoulders,FTLN 0345For, in conclusion, he did beat me there.ADRIANAFTLN 034680Go back again, thou slave, and fetch him home.DROMIO OF EPHESUSFTLN 0347Go back again and be new beaten home?FTLN 0348For God’s sake, send some other messenger.ADRIANAFTLN 0349Back, slave, or I will break thy pate across.DROMIO OF EPHESUSFTLN 0350And he will bless that cross with other beating.FTLN 035185Between you, I shall have a holy head.ADRIANAFTLN 0352Hence, prating peasant. Fetch thy master home.DROMIO OF EPHESUSFTLN 0353Am I so round with you as you with me,FTLN 0354That like a football you do spurn me thus?FTLN 0355You spurn me hence, and he will spurn me hither.FTLN 035690If I last in this service, you must case me in leather.He exits.LUCIANAFTLN 0357Fie, how impatience loureth in your face.ADRIANAFTLN 0358His company must do his minions grace,FTLN 0359Whilst I at home starve for a merry look.FTLN 0360Hath homely age th’ alluring beauty tookFTLN 036195From my poor cheek? Then he hath wasted it.FTLN 0362Are my discourses dull? Barren my wit?FTLN 0363If voluble and sharp discourse be marred,

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FTLN 0364Unkindness blunts it more than marble hard.FTLN 0365Do their gay vestments his affections bait?FTLN 0366100That’s not my fault; he’s master of my state.FTLN 0367What ruins are in me that can be foundFTLN 0368By him not ruined? Then is he the groundFTLN 0369Of my defeatures. My decayèd fairFTLN 0370A sunny look of his would soon repair.FTLN 0371105But, too unruly deer, he breaks the paleFTLN 0372And feeds from home. Poor I am but his stale.LUCIANAFTLN 0373Self-harming jealousy, fie, beat it hence.ADRIANAFTLN 0374Unfeeling fools can with such wrongs dispense.FTLN 0375I know his eye doth homage otherwhere,FTLN 0376110Or else what lets it but he would be here?FTLN 0377Sister, you know he promised me a chain.FTLN 0378Would that alone o’ love he would detain,FTLN 0379So he would keep fair quarter with his bed.FTLN 0380I see the jewel best enamelèdFTLN 0381115Will lose his beauty. Yet the gold bides stillFTLN 0382That others touch, and often touching willFTLN 0383Wear gold; yet no man that hath a nameFTLN 0384By falsehood and corruption doth it shame.FTLN 0385Since that my beauty cannot please his eye,FTLN 0386120I’ll weep what’s left away, and weeping die.LUCIANAFTLN 0387How many fond fools serve mad jealousy!They exit.

Scene2

Enter Antipholus of Syracuse.

ANTIPHOLUS OFSYRACUSEFTLN 0388The gold I gave to Dromio is laid upFTLN 0389Safe at the Centaur, and the heedful slave

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The Comedy of Errors

ACT 2. SC. 2

FTLN 0390Is wandered forth in care to seek me out.FTLN 0391By computation and mine host’s report,FTLN 03925I could not speak with Dromio since at firstFTLN 0393I sent him from the mart. See, here he comes.

Enter Dromio of Syracuse.

FTLN 0394How now, sir? Is your merry humor altered?FTLN 0395As you love strokes, so jest with me again.FTLN 0396You know no Centaur? You received no gold?FTLN 039710Your mistress sent to have me home to dinner?FTLN 0398My house was at the Phoenix? Wast thou mad,FTLN 0399That thus so madly thou didst answer me?DROMIO OF SYRACUSEFTLN 0400What answer, sir? When spake I such a word?ANTIPHOLUS OFSYRACUSEFTLN 0401Even now, even here, not half an hour since.DROMIO OF SYRACUSEFTLN 040215I did not see you since you sent me hence,FTLN 0403Home to the Centaur with the gold you gave me.ANTIPHOLUS OFSYRACUSEFTLN 0404Villain, thou didst deny the gold’s receiptFTLN 0405And told’st me of a mistress and a dinner,FTLN 0406For which I hope thou felt’st I was displeased.DROMIO OF SYRACUSEFTLN 040720I am glad to see you in this merry vein.FTLN 0408What means this jest, I pray you, master, tell me?ANTIPHOLUS OFSYRACUSEFTLN 0409Yea, dost thou jeer and flout me in the teeth?FTLN 0410Think’st thou I jest? Hold, take thou that and that.Beats Dromio.DROMIO OF SYRACUSEFTLN 0411Hold, sir, for God’s sake! Now your jest is earnest.FTLN 041225Upon what bargain do you give it me?ANTIPHOLUS OFSYRACUSEFTLN 0413Because that I familiarly sometimesFTLN 0414Do use you for my fool and chat with you,

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The Comedy of Errors

ACT 2. SC. 2

FTLN 0415Your sauciness will jest upon my loveFTLN 0416And make a common of my serious hours.FTLN 041730When the sun shines, let foolish gnats make sport,FTLN 0418But creep in crannies when he hides his beams.FTLN 0419If you will jest with me, know my aspect,FTLN 0420And fashion your demeanor to my looks,FTLN 0421Or I will beat this method in your sconce.DROMIO OF SYRACUSEFTLN 042235“Sconce” call you it? So youFTLN 0423would leave battering, I had rather have it aFTLN 0424“head.” An you use these blows long, I must get aFTLN 0425sconce for my head and ensconce it too, or else IFTLN 0426shall seek my wit in my shoulders. But I pray, sir,FTLN 042740why am I beaten?ANTIPHOLUS OFSYRACUSEFTLN 0428Dost thou not know?DROMIO OF SYRACUSEFTLN 0429Nothing, sir, but that I amFTLN 0430beaten.ANTIPHOLUS OFSYRACUSEFTLN 0431Shall I tell you why?DROMIO OF SYRACUSEFTLN 043245Ay, sir, and wherefore, for theyFTLN 0433say every why hath a wherefore.ANTIPHOLUS OFSYRACUSEFTLN 0434“Why” first: for floutingFTLN 0435me; and then “wherefore”: for urging it the secondFTLN 0436time to me.DROMIO OF SYRACUSEFTLN 043750Was there ever any man thus beaten out of season,FTLN 0438When in the “why” and the “wherefore” is neitherFTLN 0439rhyme nor reason?FTLN 0440Well, sir, I thank you.ANTIPHOLUS OFSYRACUSEFTLN 0441Thank me, sir, for what?DROMIO OF SYRACUSEFTLN 044255Marry, sir, for this somethingFTLN 0443that you gave me for nothing.ANTIPHOLUS OFSYRACUSEFTLN 0444I’ll make you amends next,FTLN 0445to give you nothing for something. But say, sir, is itFTLN 0446dinnertime?DROMIO OF SYRACUSEFTLN 044760No, sir, I think the meat wantsFTLN 0448that I have.

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ACT 2. SC. 2

ANTIPHOLUS OFSYRACUSEFTLN 0449In good time, sir, what’sFTLN 0450that?DROMIO OF SYRACUSEFTLN 0451Basting.ANTIPHOLUS OFSYRACUSEFTLN 045265Well, sir, then ’twill be dry.DROMIO OF SYRACUSEFTLN 0453If it be, sir, I pray you eat none ofFTLN 0454it.ANTIPHOLUS OFSYRACUSEFTLN 0455Your reason?DROMIO OF SYRACUSEFTLN 0456Lest it make you choleric andFTLN 045770purchase me another dry basting.ANTIPHOLUS OFSYRACUSEFTLN 0458Well, sir, learn to jest inFTLN 0459good time. There’s a time for all things.DROMIO OF SYRACUSEFTLN 0460I durst have denied that beforeFTLN 0461you were so choleric.ANTIPHOLUS OFSYRACUSEFTLN 046275By what rule, sir?DROMIO OF SYRACUSEFTLN 0463Marry, sir, by a rule as plain asFTLN 0464the plain bald pate of Father Time himself.ANTIPHOLUS OFSYRACUSEFTLN 0465Let’s hear it.DROMIO OF SYRACUSEFTLN 0466There’s no time for a man toFTLN 046780recover his hair that grows bald by nature.ANTIPHOLUS OFSYRACUSEFTLN 0468May he not do it by fine andFTLN 0469recovery?DROMIO OF SYRACUSEFTLN 0470Yes, to pay a fine for a periwig,FTLN 0471and recover the lost hair of another man.ANTIPHOLUS OFSYRACUSEFTLN 047285Why is Time such a niggardFTLN 0473of hair, being, as it is, so plentiful an excrement?DROMIO OF SYRACUSEFTLN 0474Because it is a blessing that heFTLN 0475bestows on beasts, and what he hath scanted menFTLN 0476in hair, he hath given them in wit.ANTIPHOLUS OFSYRACUSEFTLN 047790Why, but there’s many aFTLN 0478man hath more hair than wit.DROMIO OF SYRACUSEFTLN 0479Not a man of those but he hathFTLN 0480the wit to lose his hair.ANTIPHOLUS OFSYRACUSEFTLN 0481Why, thou didst concludeFTLN 048295hairy men plain dealers without wit.DROMIO OF SYRACUSEFTLN 0483The plainer dealer, the soonerFTLN 0484lost. Yet he loseth it in a kind of jollity.

45

The Comedy of Errors

ACT 2. SC. 2

ANTIPHOLUS OFSYRACUSEFTLN 0485For what reason?DROMIO OF SYRACUSEFTLN 0486For two, and sound ones too.ANTIPHOLUS OFSYRACUSEFTLN 0487100Nay, not sound, I pray you.DROMIO OF SYRACUSEFTLN 0488Sure ones, then.ANTIPHOLUS OFSYRACUSEFTLN 0489Nay, not sure, in a thingFTLN 0490falsing.DROMIO OF SYRACUSEFTLN 0491Certain ones, then.ANTIPHOLUS OFSYRACUSEFTLN 0492105Name them.DROMIO OF SYRACUSEFTLN 0493The one, to save the money thatFTLN 0494he spends in tiring; the other, that at dinner theyFTLN 0495should not drop in his porridge.ANTIPHOLUS OFSYRACUSEFTLN 0496You would all this timeFTLN 0497110have proved there is no time for all things.DROMIO OF SYRACUSEFTLN 0498Marry, and did, sir: namely, e’enFTLN 0499no time to recover hair lost by nature.ANTIPHOLUS OFSYRACUSEFTLN 0500But your reason was notFTLN 0501substantial why there is no time to recover.DROMIO OF SYRACUSEFTLN 0502115Thus I mend it: Time himself isFTLN 0503bald and therefore, to the world’s end, will haveFTLN 0504bald followers.ANTIPHOLUS OFSYRACUSEFTLN 0505I knew ’twould be a baldFTLN 0506conclusion. But soft, who wafts us yonder?

Enter Adriana, beckoning them, and Luciana.

ADRIANAFTLN 0507120Ay, ay, Antipholus, look strange and frown.FTLN 0508Some other mistress hath thy sweet aspects.FTLN 0509I am not Adriana, nor thy wife.FTLN 0510The time was once when thou unurged wouldst vowFTLN 0511That never words were music to thine ear,FTLN 0512125That never object pleasing in thine eye,FTLN 0513That never touch well welcome to thy hand,FTLN 0514That never meat sweet-savored in thy taste,FTLN 0515Unless I spake, or looked, or touched, or carved toFTLN 0516thee.FTLN 0517130How comes it now, my husband, O, how comes it

47

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ACT 2. SC. 2

FTLN 0518That thou art then estrangèd from thyself?FTLN 0519“Thyself” I call it, being strange to me,FTLN 0520That, undividable, incorporate,FTLN 0521Am better than thy dear self’s better part.FTLN 0522135Ah, do not tear away thyself from me!FTLN 0523For know, my love, as easy mayst thou fallFTLN 0524A drop of water in the breaking gulf,FTLN 0525And take unmingled thence that drop againFTLN 0526Without addition or diminishing,FTLN 0527140As take from me thyself and not me too.FTLN 0528How dearly would it touch thee to the quick,FTLN 0529Shouldst thou but hear I were licentiousFTLN 0530And that this body, consecrate to thee,FTLN 0531By ruffian lust should be contaminate!FTLN 0532145Wouldst thou not spit at me, and spurn at me,FTLN 0533And hurl the name of husband in my face,FTLN 0534And tear the stained skin off my harlot brow,FTLN 0535And from my false hand cut the wedding ring,FTLN 0536And break it with a deep-divorcing vow?FTLN 0537150I know thou canst, and therefore see thou do it.FTLN 0538I am possessed with an adulterate blot;FTLN 0539My blood is mingled with the crime of lust;FTLN 0540For if we two be one, and thou play false,FTLN 0541I do digest the poison of thy flesh,FTLN 0542155Being strumpeted by thy contagion.FTLN 0543Keep then fair league and truce with thy true bed,FTLN 0544I live distained, thou undishonorèd.ANTIPHOLUS OFSYRACUSEFTLN 0545Plead you to me, fair dame? I know you not.FTLN 0546In Ephesus I am but two hours old,FTLN 0547160As strange unto your town as to your talk,FTLN 0548Who, every word by all my wit being scanned,FTLN 0549Wants wit in all one word to understand.LUCIANAFTLN 0550Fie, brother, how the world is changed with you!

49

The Comedy of Errors

ACT 2. SC. 2

FTLN 0551When were you wont to use my sister thus?FTLN 0552165She sent for you by Dromio home to dinner.ANTIPHOLUS OFSYRACUSEFTLN 0553By Dromio?DROMIO OF SYRACUSEFTLN 0554By me?ADRIANAFTLN 0555By thee; and this thou didst return from him:FTLN 0556That he did buffet thee and, in his blows,FTLN 0557170Denied my house for his, me for his wife.ANTIPHOLUS OFSYRACUSEFTLN 0558Did you converse, sir, with this gentlewoman?FTLN 0559What is the course and drift of your compact?DROMIO OF SYRACUSEFTLN 0560I, sir? I never saw her till this time.ANTIPHOLUS OFSYRACUSEFTLN 0561Villain, thou liest, for even her very wordsFTLN 0562175Didst thou deliver to me on the mart.DROMIO OF SYRACUSEFTLN 0563I never spake with her in all my life.ANTIPHOLUS OFSYRACUSEFTLN 0564How can she thus then call us by our names—FTLN 0565Unless it be by inspiration?ADRIANAFTLN 0566How ill agrees it with your gravityFTLN 0567180To counterfeit thus grossly with your slave,FTLN 0568Abetting him to thwart me in my mood.FTLN 0569Be it my wrong you are from me exempt,FTLN 0570But wrong not that wrong with a more contempt.FTLN 0571Come, I will fasten on this sleeve of thine.She takes his arm.FTLN 0572185Thou art an elm, my husband, I a vine,FTLN 0573Whose weakness, married to thy stronger state,FTLN 0574Makes me with thy strength to communicate.FTLN 0575If aught possess thee from me, it is dross,FTLN 0576Usurping ivy, brier, or idle moss,FTLN 0577190Who, all for want of pruning, with intrusionFTLN 0578Infect thy sap and live on thy confusion.

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ACT 2. SC. 2

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE, asideFTLN 0579To me she speaks; she moves me for her theme.FTLN 0580What, was I married to her in my dream?FTLN 0581Or sleep I now and think I hear all this?FTLN 0582195What error drives our eyes and ears amiss?FTLN 0583Until I know this sure uncertaintyFTLN 0584I’ll entertain the offered fallacy.LUCIANAFTLN 0585Dromio, go bid the servants spread for dinner.DROMIO OF SYRACUSEFTLN 0586O, for my beads! I cross me for a sinner.He crosses himself.FTLN 0587200This is the fairy land. O spite of spites!FTLN 0588We talk with goblins, owls, and sprites.FTLN 0589If we obey them not, this will ensue:FTLN 0590They’ll suck our breath, or pinch us black and blue.LUCIANAFTLN 0591Why prat’st thou to thyself and answer’st not?FTLN 0592205Dromio—thou, Dromio—thou snail, thou slug,FTLN 0593thou sot.DROMIO OF SYRACUSEFTLN 0594I am transformèd, master, am I not?ANTIPHOLUS OFSYRACUSEFTLN 0595I think thou art in mind, and so am I.DROMIO OF SYRACUSEFTLN 0596Nay, master, both in mind and in my shape.ANTIPHOLUS OFSYRACUSEFTLN 0597210Thou hast thine own form.DROMIO OF SYRACUSEFTLN 0598No, I am an ape.LUCIANAFTLN 0599If thou art changed to aught, ’tis to an ass.DROMIO OF SYRACUSEFTLN 0600’Tis true. She rides me, and I long for grass.FTLN 0601’Tis so. I am an ass; else it could never beFTLN 0602215But I should know her as well as she knows me.

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ACT 2. SC. 2

ADRIANAFTLN 0603Come, come, no longer will I be a fool,FTLN 0604To put the finger in the eye and weepFTLN 0605Whilst man and master laughs my woes to scorn.FTLN 0606Come, sir, to dinner.—Dromio, keep the gate.—FTLN 0607220Husband, I’ll dine above with you today,FTLN 0608And shrive you of a thousand idle pranks.FTLN 0609To Dromio.Sirrah, if any ask you for your master,FTLN 0610Say he dines forth, and let no creature enter.—FTLN 0611Come, sister.—Dromio, play the porter well.ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE, asideFTLN 0612225Am I in Earth, in heaven, or in hell?FTLN 0613Sleeping or waking, mad or well-advised?FTLN 0614Known unto these, and to myself disguised!FTLN 0615I’ll say as they say, and persever so,FTLN 0616And in this mist at all adventures go.DROMIO OF SYRACUSEFTLN 0617230Master, shall I be porter at the gate?ADRIANAFTLN 0618Ay, and let none enter, lest I break your pate.LUCIANAFTLN 0619Come, come, Antipholus, we dine too late.They exit.

ACT 3

Scene 1

Enter Antipholus of Ephesus, his man Dromio, Angelothe goldsmith, and Balthasar the merchant.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUSFTLN 0620Good Signior Angelo, you must excuse us all;FTLN 0621My wife is shrewish when I keep not hours.FTLN 0622Say that I lingered with you at your shopFTLN 0623To see the making of her carcanet,FTLN 06245And that tomorrow you will bring it home.FTLN 0625But here’s a villain that would face me downFTLN 0626He met me on the mart, and that I beat himFTLN 0627And charged him with a thousand marks in gold,FTLN 0628And that I did deny my wife and house.—FTLN 062910Thou drunkard, thou, what didst thou mean by this?DROMIO OF EPHESUSFTLN 0630Say what you will, sir, but I know what I know.FTLN 0631That you beat me at the mart I have your hand toFTLN 0632show;FTLN 0633If the skin were parchment and the blows you gaveFTLN 063415were ink,FTLN 0635Your own handwriting would tell you what I think.ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUSFTLN 0636I think thou art an ass.DROMIO OF EPHESUSFTLN 0637Marry, so it doth appearFTLN 0638By the wrongs I suffer and the blows I bear.

57

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ACT 3. SC. 1

FTLN 063920I should kick being kicked and, being at that pass,FTLN 0640You would keep from my heels and beware of an ass.ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUSFTLN 0641You’re sad, Signior Balthasar. Pray God our cheerFTLN 0642May answer my goodwill and your good welcomeFTLN 0643here.BALTHASARFTLN 064425I hold your dainties cheap, sir, and your welcomeFTLN 0645dear.ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUSFTLN 0646O Signior Balthasar, either at flesh or fishFTLN 0647A table full of welcome makes scarce one daintyFTLN 0648dish.BALTHASARFTLN 064930Good meat, sir, is common; that every churl affords.ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUSFTLN 0650And welcome more common, for that’s nothing butFTLN 0651words.BALTHASARFTLN 0652Small cheer and great welcome makes a merryFTLN 0653feast.ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUSFTLN 065435Ay, to a niggardly host and more sparing guest.FTLN 0655But though my cates be mean, take them in goodFTLN 0656part.FTLN 0657Better cheer may you have, but not with betterFTLN 0658heart.He attempts to open the door.FTLN 065940But soft! My door is locked.To Dromio. Go, bidFTLN 0660them let us in.DROMIO OF EPHESUSFTLN 0661Maud, Bridget, Marian, Ciceley, Gillian, Ginn!DROMIO OF SYRACUSE, withinFTLN 0662Mome, malt-horse, capon, coxcomb, idiot, patch!FTLN 0663Either get thee from the door or sit down at theFTLN 066445hatch.

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FTLN 0665Dost thou conjure for wenches, that thou call’st forFTLN 0666such storeFTLN 0667When one is one too many? Go, get thee from theFTLN 0668door.DROMIO OF EPHESUSFTLN 066950What patch is made our porter? My master stays inFTLN 0670the street.DROMIO OF SYRACUSE, withinFTLN 0671Let him walk from whence he came, lest he catchFTLN 0672cold on ’s feet.ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUSFTLN 0673Who talks within there? Ho, open the door.DROMIO OF SYRACUSE, withinFTLN 067455Right, sir, I’ll tell you when an you’ll tell meFTLN 0675wherefore.ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUSFTLN 0676Wherefore? For my dinner. I have not dined today.DROMIO OF SYRACUSE, withinFTLN 0677Nor today here you must not. Come again when youFTLN 0678may.ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUSFTLN 067960What art thou that keep’st me out from the house IFTLN 0680owe?DROMIO OF SYRACUSE, withinFTLN 0681The porter for this time, sir, and my name isFTLN 0682Dromio.DROMIO OF EPHESUSFTLN 0683O villain, thou hast stolen both mine office and myFTLN 068465name!FTLN 0685The one ne’er got me credit, the other mickleFTLN 0686blame.FTLN 0687If thou hadst been Dromio today in my place,FTLN 0688Thou wouldst have changed thy face for a name, orFTLN 068970thy name for an ass.

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Enter Luce above, unseen by Antipholus of Ephesusand his company.

LUCEFTLN 0690What a coil is there, Dromio! Who are those at theFTLN 0691gate?DROMIO OF EPHESUSFTLN 0692Let my master in, Luce.LUCEFTLN 0693Faith, no, he comes too late,FTLN 069475And so tell your master.DROMIO OF EPHESUSFTLN 0695O Lord, I must laugh.FTLN 0696Have at you with a proverb: shall I set in my staff?LUCEFTLN 0697Have at you with another: that’s—When, can youFTLN 0698tell?DROMIO OF SYRACUSE, withinFTLN 069980If thy name be called “Luce,” Luce, thou hastFTLN 0700answered him well.ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS, to LuceFTLN 0701Do you hear, you minion? You’ll let us in, I hope?LUCEFTLN 0702I thought to have asked you.DROMIO OF SYRACUSE, withinFTLN 0703And you said no.DROMIO OF EPHESUSFTLN 070485So, come help. Well struck! There was blow forFTLN 0705blow.ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS, to LuceFTLN 0706Thou baggage, let me in.LUCEFTLN 0707Can you tell for whose sake?DROMIO OF EPHESUSFTLN 0708Master, knock the door hard.LUCEFTLN 070990Let him knock till it ache.ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUSFTLN 0710You’ll cry for this, minion, if I beat the door down.He beats on the door.

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The Comedy of Errors

ACT 3. SC. 1

LUCEFTLN 0711What needs all that, and a pair of stocks in theFTLN 0712town?

Enter Adriana, above, unseen by Antipholus of Ephesusand his company.

ADRIANAFTLN 0713Who is that at the door that keeps all this noise?DROMIO OF SYRACUSE, withinFTLN 071495By my troth, your town is troubled with unrulyFTLN 0715boys.ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUSFTLN 0716Are you there, wife? You might have come before.ADRIANAFTLN 0717Your wife, sir knave? Go, get you from the door.Adriana and Luce exit.DROMIO OF EPHESUSFTLN 0718If you went in pain, master, this knave would goFTLN 0719100sore.ANGELO, to Antipholus of EphesusFTLN 0720Here is neither cheer, sir, nor welcome. We wouldFTLN 0721fain have either.BALTHASARFTLN 0722In debating which was best, we shall part withFTLN 0723neither.DROMIO OF EPHESUSFTLN 0724105They stand at the door, master. Bid them welcomeFTLN 0725hither.ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUSFTLN 0726There is something in the wind, that we cannot getFTLN 0727in.DROMIO OF EPHESUSFTLN 0728You would say so, master, if your garments wereFTLN 0729110thin.FTLN 0730Your cake here is warm within; you stand here inFTLN 0731the cold.

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ACT 3. SC. 1

FTLN 0732It would make a man mad as a buck to be soFTLN 0733bought and sold.ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUSFTLN 0734115Go, fetch me something. I’ll break ope the gate.DROMIO OF SYRACUSE, withinFTLN 0735Break any breaking here, and I’ll break your knave’sFTLN 0736pate.DROMIO OF EPHESUSFTLN 0737A man may break a word with you, sir, and wordsFTLN 0738are but wind,FTLN 0739120Ay, and break it in your face, so he break it notFTLN 0740behind.DROMIO OF SYRACUSE, withinFTLN 0741It seems thou want’st breaking. Out upon thee, hind!DROMIO OF EPHESUSFTLN 0742Here’s too much “Out upon thee!” I pray thee, letFTLN 0743me in.DROMIO OF SYRACUSE, withinFTLN 0744125Ay, when fowls have no feathers and fish have noFTLN 0745fin.ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS, to Dromio of EphesusFTLN 0746Well, I’ll break in. Go, borrow me a crow.DROMIO OF EPHESUSFTLN 0747A crow without feather? Master, mean you so?FTLN 0748For a fish without a fin, there’s a fowl without aFTLN 0749130feather.—FTLN 0750If a crow help us in, sirrah, we’ll pluck a crowFTLN 0751together.ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUSFTLN 0752Go, get thee gone. Fetch me an iron crow.BALTHASARFTLN 0753Have patience, sir. O, let it not be so.FTLN 0754135Herein you war against your reputation,FTLN 0755And draw within the compass of suspectFTLN 0756Th’ unviolated honor of your wife.FTLN 0757Once this: your long experience of her wisdom,

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FTLN 0758Her sober virtue, years, and modestyFTLN 0759140Plead on her part some cause to you unknown.FTLN 0760And doubt not, sir, but she will well excuseFTLN 0761Why at this time the doors are made against you.FTLN 0762Be ruled by me; depart in patience,FTLN 0763And let us to the Tiger all to dinner,FTLN 0764145And about evening come yourself aloneFTLN 0765To know the reason of this strange restraint.FTLN 0766If by strong hand you offer to break inFTLN 0767Now in the stirring passage of the day,FTLN 0768A vulgar comment will be made of it;FTLN 0769150And that supposèd by the common routFTLN 0770Against your yet ungallèd estimationFTLN 0771That may with foul intrusion enter inFTLN 0772And dwell upon your grave when you are dead;FTLN 0773For slander lives upon succession,FTLN 0774155Forever housèd where it gets possession.ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUSFTLN 0775You have prevailed. I will depart in quietFTLN 0776And, in despite of mirth, mean to be merry.FTLN 0777I know a wench of excellent discourse,FTLN 0778Pretty and witty, wild and yet, too, gentle.FTLN 0779160There will we dine. This woman that I mean,FTLN 0780My wife—but, I protest, without desert—FTLN 0781Hath oftentimes upbraided me withal;FTLN 0782To her will we to dinner.To Angelo. Get you homeFTLN 0783And fetch the chain; by this, I know, ’tis made.FTLN 0784165Bring it, I pray you, to the Porpentine,FTLN 0785For there’s the house. That chain will I bestow—FTLN 0786Be it for nothing but to spite my wife—FTLN 0787Upon mine hostess there. Good sir, make haste.FTLN 0788Since mine own doors refuse to entertain me,FTLN 0789170I’ll knock elsewhere, to see if they’ll disdain me.ANGELOFTLN 0790I’ll meet you at that place some hour hence.

LUCIANAFTLN 0792And may it be that you have quite forgotFTLN 0793A husband’s office? Shall, Antipholus,FTLN 0794Even in the spring of love thy love-springs rot?FTLN 0795Shall love, in building, grow so ruinous?FTLN 07965If you did wed my sister for her wealth,FTLN 0797Then for her wealth’s sake use her with moreFTLN 0798kindness.FTLN 0799Or if you like elsewhere, do it by stealth —FTLN 0800Muffle your false love with some show ofFTLN 080110blindness.FTLN 0802Let not my sister read it in your eye;FTLN 0803Be not thy tongue thy own shame’s orator;FTLN 0804Look sweet, speak fair, become disloyalty;FTLN 0805Apparel vice like virtue’s harbinger.FTLN 080615Bear a fair presence, though your heart be tainted.FTLN 0807Teach sin the carriage of a holy saint.FTLN 0808Be secret-false. What need she be acquainted?FTLN 0809What simple thief brags of his own attaint?FTLN 0810’Tis double wrong to truant with your bedFTLN 081120And let her read it in thy looks at board.FTLN 0812Shame hath a bastard fame, well managèd;FTLN 0813Ill deeds is doubled with an evil word.FTLN 0814Alas, poor women, make us but believe,FTLN 0815Being compact of credit, that you love us.FTLN 081625Though others have the arm, show us the sleeve;FTLN 0817We in your motion turn, and you may move us.

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ACT 3. SC. 2

FTLN 0818Then, gentle brother, get you in again.FTLN 0819Comfort my sister, cheer her, call her wife.FTLN 0820’Tis holy sport to be a little vainFTLN 082130When the sweet breath of flattery conquers strife.ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSEFTLN 0822Sweet mistress—what your name is else I know not,FTLN 0823Nor by what wonder you do hit of mine—FTLN 0824Less in your knowledge and your grace you show notFTLN 0825Than our Earth’s wonder, more than Earth divine.FTLN 082635Teach me, dear creature, how to think and speak.FTLN 0827Lay open to my earthy gross conceit,FTLN 0828Smothered in errors, feeble, shallow, weak,FTLN 0829The folded meaning of your words’ deceit.FTLN 0830Against my soul’s pure truth why labor youFTLN 083140To make it wander in an unknown field?FTLN 0832Are you a god? Would you create me new?FTLN 0833Transform me, then, and to your power I’ll yield.FTLN 0834But if that I am I, then well I knowFTLN 0835Your weeping sister is no wife of mine,FTLN 083645Nor to her bed no homage do I owe.FTLN 0837Far more, far more, to you do I decline.FTLN 0838O, train me not, sweet mermaid, with thy noteFTLN 0839To drown me in thy sister’s flood of tears.FTLN 0840Sing, Siren, for thyself, and I will dote.FTLN 084150Spread o’er the silver waves thy golden hairs,FTLN 0842And as a bed I’ll take them and there lie,FTLN 0843And in that glorious supposition thinkFTLN 0844He gains by death that hath such means to die.FTLN 0845Let love, being light, be drownèd if she sink.LUCIANAFTLN 084655What, are you mad that you do reason so?ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSEFTLN 0847Not mad, but mated—how, I do not know.LUCIANAFTLN 0848It is a fault that springeth from your eye.

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSEFTLN 087685What woman’s man? AndFTLN 0877how besides thyself?DROMIO OF SYRACUSEFTLN 0878Marry, sir, besides myself I amFTLN 0879due to a woman, one that claims me, one thatFTLN 0880haunts me, one that will have me.ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSEFTLN 088190What claim lays she to thee?DROMIO OF SYRACUSEFTLN 0882Marry, sir, such claim as youFTLN 0883would lay to your horse, and she would have me asFTLN 0884a beast; not that I being a beast she would have me,FTLN 0885but that she, being a very beastly creature, laysFTLN 088695claim to me.ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSEFTLN 0887What is she?DROMIO OF SYRACUSEFTLN 0888A very reverend body, ay, such aFTLN 0889one as a man may not speak of without he sayFTLN 0890“sir-reverence.” I have but lean luck in the match,FTLN 0891100and yet is she a wondrous fat marriage.ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSEFTLN 0892How dost thou mean a “fatFTLN 0893marriage”?DROMIO OF SYRACUSEFTLN 0894Marry, sir, she’s the kitchenFTLN 0895wench, and all grease, and I know not what use toFTLN 0896105put her to but to make a lamp of her and run fromFTLN 0897her by her own light. I warrant her rags and theFTLN 0898tallow in them will burn a Poland winter. If she livesFTLN 0899till doomsday, she’ll burn a week longer than theFTLN 0900whole world.ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSEFTLN 0901110What complexion is she of?DROMIO OF SYRACUSEFTLN 0902Swart like my shoe, but her faceFTLN 0903nothing like so clean kept. For why? She sweats. AFTLN 0904man may go overshoes in the grime of it.ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSEFTLN 0905That’s a fault that water willFTLN 0906115mend.DROMIO OF SYRACUSEFTLN 0907No, sir, ’tis in grain; Noah’s floodFTLN 0908could not do it.ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSEFTLN 0909What’s her name?DROMIO OF SYRACUSEFTLN 0910Nell, sir, but her name and

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FTLN 0911120three quarters—that’s an ell and three quarters—FTLN 0912will not measure her from hip to hip.ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSEFTLN 0913Then she bears someFTLN 0914breadth?DROMIO OF SYRACUSEFTLN 0915No longer from head to foot thanFTLN 0916125from hip to hip. She is spherical, like a globe. IFTLN 0917could find out countries in her.ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSEFTLN 0918In what part of her bodyFTLN 0919stands Ireland?DROMIO OF SYRACUSEFTLN 0920Marry, sir, in her buttocks. IFTLN 0921130found it out by the bogs.ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSEFTLN 0922Where Scotland?DROMIO OF SYRACUSEFTLN 0923I found it by the barrenness,FTLN 0924hard in the palm of the hand.ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSEFTLN 0925Where France?DROMIO OF SYRACUSEFTLN 0926135In her forehead, armed andFTLN 0927reverted, making war against her heir.ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSEFTLN 0928Where England?DROMIO OF SYRACUSEFTLN 0929I looked for the chalky cliffs, butFTLN 0930I could find no whiteness in them. But I guess itFTLN 0931140stood in her chin, by the salt rheum that ranFTLN 0932between France and it.ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSEFTLN 0933Where Spain?DROMIO OF SYRACUSEFTLN 0934Faith, I saw it not, but I felt it hotFTLN 0935in her breath.ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSEFTLN 0936145Where America, the Indies?DROMIO OF SYRACUSEFTLN 0937O, sir, upon her nose, all o’erembellishedFTLN 0938with rubies, carbuncles, sapphires,FTLN 0939declining their rich aspect to the hot breath ofFTLN 0940Spain, who sent whole armadas of carracks to beFTLN 0941150ballast at her nose.ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSEFTLN 0942Where stood Belgia, theFTLN 0943Netherlands?DROMIO OF SYRACUSEFTLN 0944O, sir, I did not look so low. ToFTLN 0945conclude: this drudge or diviner laid claim to me,

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FTLN 0946155called me Dromio, swore I was assured to her, toldFTLN 0947me what privy marks I had about me, as the markFTLN 0948of my shoulder, the mole in my neck, the great wartFTLN 0949on my left arm, that I, amazed, ran from her as aFTLN 0950witch.FTLN 0951160And, I think, if my breast had not been made ofFTLN 0952faith, and my heart of steel,FTLN 0953She had transformed me to a curtal dog and madeFTLN 0954me turn i’ th’ wheel.ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSEFTLN 0955Go, hie thee presently. Post to the road.FTLN 0956165An if the wind blow any way from shore,FTLN 0957I will not harbor in this town tonight.FTLN 0958If any bark put forth, come to the mart,FTLN 0959Where I will walk till thou return to me.FTLN 0960If everyone knows us, and we know none,FTLN 0961170’Tis time, I think, to trudge, pack, and be gone.DROMIO OF SYRACUSEFTLN 0962As from a bear a man would run for life,FTLN 0963So fly I from her that would be my wife.He exits.ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSEFTLN 0964There’s none but witches do inhabit here,FTLN 0965And therefore ’tis high time that I were hence.FTLN 0966175She that doth call me husband, even my soulFTLN 0967Doth for a wife abhor. But her fair sister,FTLN 0968Possessed with such a gentle sovereign grace,FTLN 0969Of such enchanting presence and discourse,FTLN 0970Hath almost made me traitor to myself.FTLN 0971180But lest myself be guilty to self wrong,FTLN 0972I’ll stop mine ears against the mermaid’s song.

ANGELOFTLN 0975I know it well, sir. Lo, here’s the chain.FTLN 0976185I thought to have ta’en you at the Porpentine;FTLN 0977The chain unfinished made me stay thus long.He gives Antipholus a chain.ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSEFTLN 0978What is your will that I shall do with this?ANGELOFTLN 0979What please yourself, sir. I have made it for you.ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSEFTLN 0980Made it for me, sir? I bespoke it not.ANGELOFTLN 0981190Not once, nor twice, but twenty times you have.FTLN 0982Go home with it, and please your wife withal,FTLN 0983And soon at supper time I’ll visit youFTLN 0984And then receive my money for the chain.ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSEFTLN 0985I pray you, sir, receive the money now,FTLN 0986195For fear you ne’er see chain nor money more.ANGELOFTLN 0987You are a merry man, sir. Fare you well.He exits.ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSEFTLN 0988What I should think of this I cannot tell,FTLN 0989But this I think: there’s no man is so vainFTLN 0990That would refuse so fair an offered chain.FTLN 0991200I see a man here needs not live by shiftsFTLN 0992When in the streets he meets such golden gifts.FTLN 0993I’ll to the mart, and there for Dromio stay.FTLN 0994If any ship put out, then straight away.He exits.

ACT 4

Scene 1

Enter a Second Merchant, Angelo the Goldsmith,and an Officer.

SECOND MERCHANT, to AngeloFTLN 0995You know since Pentecost the sum is due,FTLN 0996And since I have not much importuned you,FTLN 0997Nor now I had not, but that I am boundFTLN 0998To Persia and want guilders for my voyage.FTLN 09995Therefore make present satisfaction,FTLN 1000Or I’ll attach you by this officer.ANGELOFTLN 1001Even just the sum that I do owe to youFTLN 1002Is growing to me by Antipholus.FTLN 1003And in the instant that I met with you,FTLN 100410He had of me a chain. At five o’clockFTLN 1005I shall receive the money for the same.FTLN 1006Pleaseth you walk with me down to his house,FTLN 1007I will discharge my bond and thank you too.

Enter Antipholus of Ephesus and Dromio ofEphesus from the Courtesan’s.

OFFICERFTLN 1008That labor may you save. See where he comes.ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS, to Dromio of EphesusFTLN 100915While I go to the goldsmith’s house, go thou

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FTLN 1010And buy a rope’s end. That will I bestowFTLN 1011Among my wife and her confederatesFTLN 1012For locking me out of my doors by day.FTLN 1013But soft. I see the goldsmith. Get thee gone.FTLN 101420Buy thou a rope, and bring it home to me.DROMIO OFEPHESUSFTLN 1015I buy a thousand pound a year! I buy a rope!Dromio exits.ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS, to AngeloFTLN 1016A man is well holp up that trusts to you!FTLN 1017I promisèd your presence and the chain,FTLN 1018But neither chain nor goldsmith came to me.FTLN 101925Belike you thought our love would last too longFTLN 1020If it were chained together, and therefore came not.ANGELO, handing a paper to Antipholus of EphesusFTLN 1021Saving your merry humor, here’s the noteFTLN 1022How much your chain weighs to the utmost carat,FTLN 1023The fineness of the gold, and chargeful fashion,FTLN 102430Which doth amount to three-odd ducats moreFTLN 1025Than I stand debted to this gentleman.FTLN 1026I pray you, see him presently discharged,FTLN 1027For he is bound to sea, and stays but for it.ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUSFTLN 1028I am not furnished with the present money.FTLN 102935Besides, I have some business in the town.FTLN 1030Good signior, take the stranger to my house,FTLN 1031And with you take the chain, and bid my wifeFTLN 1032Disburse the sum on the receipt thereof.FTLN 1033Perchance I will be there as soon as you.ANGELOFTLN 103440Then you will bring the chain to her yourself.ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUSFTLN 1035No, bear it with you lest I come not time enough.ANGELOFTLN 1036Well, sir, I will. Have you the chain about you?

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ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUSFTLN 1037An if I have not, sir, I hope you have,FTLN 1038Or else you may return without your money.ANGELOFTLN 103945Nay, come, I pray you, sir, give me the chain.FTLN 1040Both wind and tide stays for this gentleman,FTLN 1041And I, to blame, have held him here too long.ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUSFTLN 1042Good Lord! You use this dalliance to excuseFTLN 1043Your breach of promise to the Porpentine.FTLN 104450I should have chid you for not bringing it,FTLN 1045But, like a shrew, you first begin to brawl.SECOND MERCHANT, to AngeloFTLN 1046The hour steals on. I pray you, sir, dispatch.ANGELO, to Antipholus of EphesusFTLN 1047You hear how he importunes me. The chain!ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUSFTLN 1048Why, give it to my wife, and fetch your money.ANGELOFTLN 104955Come, come. You know I gave it you even now.FTLN 1050Either send the chain, or send by me some token.ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUSFTLN 1051Fie, now you run this humor out of breath.FTLN 1052Come, where’s the chain? I pray you, let me see it.SECOND MERCHANTFTLN 1053My business cannot brook this dalliance.FTLN 105460Good sir, say whe’er you’ll answer me or no.FTLN 1055If not, I’ll leave him to the Officer.ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUSFTLN 1056I answer you? What should I answer you?ANGELOFTLN 1057The money that you owe me for the chain.ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUSFTLN 1058I owe you none till I receive the chain.ANGELOFTLN 105965You know I gave it you half an hour since.

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ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUSFTLN 1060You gave me none. You wrong me much to say so.ANGELOFTLN 1061You wrong me more, sir, in denying it.FTLN 1062Consider how it stands upon my credit.SECOND MERCHANTFTLN 1063Well, officer, arrest him at my suit.OFFICER, to AngeloFTLN 106470I do, and charge you in the Duke’s name to obeyFTLN 1065me.ANGELO, to Antipholus of EphesusFTLN 1066This touches me in reputation.FTLN 1067Either consent to pay this sum for me,FTLN 1068Or I attach you by this officer.ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUSFTLN 106975Consent to pay thee that I never had?—FTLN 1070Arrest me, foolish fellow, if thou dar’st.ANGELO, to OfficerFTLN 1071Here is thy fee. Arrest him, officer.Giving money.FTLN 1072I would not spare my brother in this caseFTLN 1073If he should scorn me so apparently.OFFICER, to Antipholus of EphesusFTLN 107480I do arrest you, sir. You hear the suit.ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUSFTLN 1075I do obey thee till I give thee bail.FTLN 1076To Angelo.But, sirrah, you shall buy this sport asFTLN 1077dearFTLN 1078As all the metal in your shop will answer.ANGELOFTLN 107985Sir, sir, I shall have law in Ephesus,FTLN 1080To your notorious shame, I doubt it not.

FTLN 1083And then, sir, she bears away. Our fraughtage, sir,FTLN 108490I have conveyed aboard, and I have boughtFTLN 1085The oil, the balsamum, and aqua vitae.FTLN 1086The ship is in her trim; the merry windFTLN 1087Blows fair from land. They stay for naught at allFTLN 1088But for their owner, master, and yourself.ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUSFTLN 108995How now? A madman? Why, thou peevish sheep,FTLN 1090What ship of Epidamium stays for me?DROMIO OF SYRACUSEFTLN 1091A ship you sent me to, to hire waftage.ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUSFTLN 1092Thou drunken slave, I sent thee for a ropeFTLN 1093And told thee to what purpose and what end.DROMIO OF SYRACUSEFTLN 1094100You sent me for a rope’s end as soon.FTLN 1095You sent me to the bay, sir, for a bark.ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUSFTLN 1096I will debate this matter at more leisureFTLN 1097And teach your ears to list me with more heed.FTLN 1098To Adriana, villain, hie thee straight.He gives a key.FTLN 1099105Give her this key, and tell her in the deskFTLN 1100That’s covered o’er with Turkish tapestryFTLN 1101There is a purse of ducats. Let her send it.FTLN 1102Tell her I am arrested in the street,FTLN 1103And that shall bail me. Hie thee, slave. Begone.—FTLN 1104110On, officer, to prison till it come.All but Dromio of Syracuse exit.DROMIO OF SYRACUSEFTLN 1105To Adriana. That is where we dined,FTLN 1106Where Dowsabel did claim me for her husband.FTLN 1107She is too big, I hope, for me to compass.FTLN 1108Thither I must, although against my will,FTLN 1109115For servants must their masters’ minds fulfill.He exits.

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Scene2

Enter Adriana and Luciana.

ADRIANAFTLN 1110Ah, Luciana, did he tempt thee so?FTLN 1111Might’st thou perceive austerely in his eyeFTLN 1112That he did plead in earnest, yea or no?FTLN 1113Looked he or red or pale, or sad or merrily?FTLN 11145What observation mad’st thou in this caseFTLN 1115Of his heart’s meteors tilting in his face?LUCIANAFTLN 1116First he denied you had in him no right.ADRIANAFTLN 1117He meant he did me none; the more my spite.LUCIANAFTLN 1118Then swore he that he was a stranger here.ADRIANAFTLN 111910And true he swore, though yet forsworn he were.LUCIANAFTLN 1120Then pleaded I for you.ADRIANAFTLN 1121And what said he?LUCIANAFTLN 1122That love I begged for you he begged of me.ADRIANAFTLN 1123With what persuasion did he tempt thy love?LUCIANAFTLN 112415With words that in an honest suit might move.FTLN 1125First he did praise my beauty, then my speech.ADRIANAFTLN 1126Did’st speak him fair?LUCIANAFTLN 1127Have patience, I beseech.ADRIANAFTLN 1128I cannot, nor I will not hold me still.FTLN 112920My tongue, though not my heart, shall have his will.FTLN 1130He is deformèd, crooked, old, and sere,FTLN 1131Ill-faced, worse-bodied, shapeless everywhere,

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FTLN 1132Vicious, ungentle, foolish, blunt, unkind,FTLN 1133Stigmatical in making, worse in mind.LUCIANAFTLN 113425Who would be jealous, then, of such a one?FTLN 1135No evil lost is wailed when it is gone.ADRIANAFTLN 1136Ah, but I think him better than I say,FTLN 1137And yet would herein others’ eyes were worse.FTLN 1138Far from her nest the lapwing cries away.FTLN 113930My heart prays for him, though my tongue doFTLN 1140curse.

DROMIO OF SYRACUSEFTLN 115950I do not know the matter. He is ’rested on the case.ADRIANAFTLN 1160What, is he arrested? Tell me at whose suit.DROMIO OF SYRACUSEFTLN 1161I know not at whose suit he is arrested well,FTLN 1162But is in a suit of buff which ’rested him; that can IFTLN 1163tell.FTLN 116455Will you send him, mistress, redemption—theFTLN 1165money in his desk?ADRIANAFTLN 1166Go fetch it, sister.(Luciana exits.) This I wonder at,FTLN 1167That he, unknown to me, should be in debt.FTLN 1168Tell me, was he arrested on a band?DROMIO OF SYRACUSEFTLN 116960Not on a band, but on a stronger thing:FTLN 1170A chain, a chain. Do you not hear it ring?ADRIANAFTLN 1171What, the chain?DROMIO OF SYRACUSEFTLN 1172No, no, the bell. ’Tis time that I were gone.FTLN 1173It was two ere I left him, and now the clock strikesFTLN 117465one.ADRIANAFTLN 1175The hours come back. That did I never hear.DROMIO OF SYRACUSEFTLN 1176O yes, if any hour meet a sergeant, he turns backFTLN 1177for very fear.ADRIANAFTLN 1178As if time were in debt. How fondly dost thouFTLN 117970reason!DROMIO OF SYRACUSEFTLN 1180Time is a very bankrout and owes more than he’sFTLN 1181worth to season.FTLN 1182Nay, he’s a thief too. Have you not heard men sayFTLN 1183That time comes stealing on by night and day?

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FTLN 118475If he be in debt and theft, and a sergeant in theFTLN 1185way,FTLN 1186Hath he not reason to turn back an hour in a day?

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSEFTLN 1191There’s not a man I meet but doth salute meFTLN 1192As if I were their well-acquainted friend,FTLN 1193And everyone doth call me by my name.FTLN 1194Some tender money to me; some invite me;FTLN 11955Some other give me thanks for kindnesses;FTLN 1196Some offer me commodities to buy.FTLN 1197Even now a tailor called me in his shopFTLN 1198And showed me silks that he had bought for me,FTLN 1199And therewithal took measure of my body.FTLN 120010Sure these are but imaginary wiles,FTLN 1201And Lapland sorcerers inhabit here.

Enter Dromio of Syracuse with the purse.

DROMIO OF SYRACUSEFTLN 1202Master, here’s the gold you sentFTLN 1203me for. What, have you got the picture of old AdamFTLN 1204new-appareled?ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSEFTLN 120515What gold is this? What Adam dost thou mean?

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DROMIO OF SYRACUSEFTLN 1206Not that Adam that kept theFTLN 1207Paradise, but that Adam that keeps the prison; heFTLN 1208that goes in the calf’s skin that was killed for theFTLN 1209Prodigal; he that came behind you, sir, like an evilFTLN 121020angel, and bid you forsake your liberty.ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSEFTLN 1211I understand thee not.DROMIO OF SYRACUSEFTLN 1212No? Why, ’tis a plain case: heFTLN 1213that went like a bass viol in a case of leather; theFTLN 1214man, sir, that, when gentlemen are tired, givesFTLN 121525them a sob and ’rests them; he, sir, that takes pityFTLN 1216on decayed men and gives them suits of durance; heFTLN 1217that sets up his rest to do more exploits with hisFTLN 1218mace than a morris-pike.ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSEFTLN 1219What, thou mean’st anFTLN 122030officer?DROMIO OF SYRACUSEFTLN 1221Ay, sir, the sergeant of the band;FTLN 1222he that brings any man to answer it that breaks hisFTLN 1223band; one that thinks a man always going to bedFTLN 1224and says “God give you good rest.”ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSEFTLN 122535Well, sir, there rest in yourFTLN 1226foolery. Is there any ships puts forth tonight? MayFTLN 1227we be gone?DROMIO OF SYRACUSEFTLN 1228Why, sir, I brought you word anFTLN 1229hour since that the bark Expedition put forth tonight,FTLN 123040and then were you hindered by the sergeantFTLN 1231to tarry for the hoy Delay. Here are the angels thatFTLN 1232you sent for to deliver you.He gives the purse.ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSEFTLN 1233The fellow is distract, and so am I,FTLN 1234And here we wander in illusions.FTLN 123545Some blessèd power deliver us from hence!

Enter a Courtesan.

COURTESANFTLN 1236Well met, well met, Master Antipholus.

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FTLN 1237I see, sir, you have found the goldsmith now.FTLN 1238Is that the chain you promised me today?ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSEFTLN 1239Satan, avoid! I charge thee, tempt me not.DROMIO OF SYRACUSEFTLN 124050Master, is this Mistress Satan?ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSEFTLN 1241It is the devil.DROMIO OF SYRACUSEFTLN 1242Nay, she is worse; she is theFTLN 1243devil’s dam, and here she comes in the habit of aFTLN 1244light wench. And thereof comes that the wenchesFTLN 124555say “God damn me”; that’s as much to say “GodFTLN 1246make me a light wench.” It is written they appearFTLN 1247to men like angels of light. Light is an effect of fire,FTLN 1248and fire will burn: ergo, light wenches will burn.FTLN 1249Come not near her.COURTESANFTLN 125060Your man and you are marvelous merry, sir.FTLN 1251Will you go with me? We’ll mend our dinner here.DROMIO OF SYRACUSEFTLN 1252Master, if you do, expect spoonFTLN 1253meat, or bespeak a long spoon.ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSEFTLN 1254Why, Dromio?DROMIO OF SYRACUSEFTLN 125565Marry, he must have a longFTLN 1256spoon that must eat with the devil.ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE, to the CourtesanFTLN 1257Avoid then, fiend! What tell’st thou me of supping?FTLN 1258Thou art, as you are all, a sorceress.FTLN 1259I conjure thee to leave me and be gone.COURTESANFTLN 126070Give me the ring of mine you had at dinnerFTLN 1261Or, for my diamond, the chain you promised,FTLN 1262And I’ll be gone, sir, and not trouble you.DROMIO OF SYRACUSEFTLN 1263Some devils ask but the paringsFTLN 1264of one’s nail, a rush, a hair, a drop of blood, a pin, aFTLN 126575nut, a cherrystone; but she, more covetous, wouldFTLN 1266have a chain. Master, be wise. An if you give it her,FTLN 1267the devil will shake her chain and fright us with it.

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COURTESANFTLN 1268I pray you, sir, my ring or else the chain.FTLN 1269I hope you do not mean to cheat me so.ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSEFTLN 127080Avaunt, thou witch!—Come, Dromio, let us go.DROMIO OF SYRACUSEFTLN 1271“Fly pride,” says the peacock.FTLN 1272Mistress, that you know.Antipholus and Dromio exit.COURTESANFTLN 1273Now, out of doubt Antipholus is mad;FTLN 1274Else would he never so demean himself.FTLN 127585A ring he hath of mine worth forty ducats,FTLN 1276And for the same he promised me a chain.FTLN 1277Both one and other he denies me now.FTLN 1278The reason that I gather he is mad,FTLN 1279Besides this present instance of his rage,FTLN 128090Is a mad tale he told today at dinnerFTLN 1281Of his own doors being shut against his entrance.FTLN 1282Belike his wife, acquainted with his fits,FTLN 1283On purpose shut the doors against his way.FTLN 1284My way is now to hie home to his houseFTLN 128595And tell his wife that, being lunatic,FTLN 1286He rushed into my house and took perforceFTLN 1287My ring away. This course I fittest choose,FTLN 1288For forty ducats is too much to lose.She exits.

Scene4

Enter Antipholus of Ephesus with a Jailer, the Officer.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUSFTLN 1289Fear me not, man. I will not break away.FTLN 1290I’ll give thee, ere I leave thee, so much money,FTLN 1291To warrant thee, as I am ’rested for.FTLN 1292My wife is in a wayward mood today

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FTLN 12935And will not lightly trust the messengerFTLN 1294That I should be attached in Ephesus.FTLN 1295I tell you, ’twill sound harshly in her ears.

Enter Dromio of Ephesus with a rope’s end.

FTLN 1296Here comes my man. I think he brings theFTLN 1297money.FTLN 129810How now, sir? Have you that I sent you for?DROMIO OF EPHESUS, handing over the rope’s endFTLN 1299Here’s that, I warrant you, will pay them all.ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUSFTLN 1300But where’s the money?DROMIO OF EPHESUSFTLN 1301Why, sir, I gave the money for the rope.ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUSFTLN 1302Five hundred ducats, villain, for a rope?DROMIO OF EPHESUSFTLN 130315I’ll serve you, sir, five hundred at the rate.ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUSFTLN 1304To what end did I bid thee hie thee home?DROMIO OF EPHESUSFTLN 1305To a rope’s end, sir, and to thatFTLN 1306end am I returned.ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS, beating DromioFTLN 1307And to that end, sir, I will welcome you.OFFICERFTLN 130820Good sir, be patient.DROMIO OF EPHESUSFTLN 1309Nay, ’tis for me to be patient. I amFTLN 1310in adversity.OFFICERFTLN 1311Good now, hold thy tongue.DROMIO OF EPHESUSFTLN 1312Nay, rather persuade him to holdFTLN 131325his hands.ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUSFTLN 1314Thou whoreson, senselessFTLN 1315villain.DROMIO OF EPHESUSFTLN 1316I would I were senseless, sir, thatFTLN 1317I might not feel your blows.ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUSFTLN 131830Thou art sensible in nothingFTLN 1319but blows, and so is an ass.

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DROMIO OF EPHESUSFTLN 1320I am an ass, indeed; you mayFTLN 1321prove it by my long ears.—I have served him fromFTLN 1322the hour of my nativity to this instant, and haveFTLN 132335nothing at his hands for my service but blows.FTLN 1324When I am cold, he heats me with beating; when IFTLN 1325am warm, he cools me with beating. I am wakedFTLN 1326with it when I sleep, raised with it when I sit,FTLN 1327driven out of doors with it when I go from home,FTLN 132840welcomed home with it when I return. Nay, I bear itFTLN 1329on my shoulders as a beggar wont her brat, and IFTLN 1330think when he hath lamed me, I shall beg with itFTLN 1331from door to door.

Enter Adriana, Luciana, Courtesan, and a Schoolmastercalled Pinch.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUSFTLN 1332Come, go along. My wife is coming yonder.DROMIO OF EPHESUSFTLN 133345Mistress, respice finem, respectFTLN 1334your end, or rather, the prophecy like the parrot,FTLN 1335“Beware the rope’s end.”ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUSFTLN 1336Wilt thou still talk?Beats Dromio.COURTESAN, to AdrianaFTLN 1337How say you now? Is not your husband mad?ADRIANAFTLN 133850His incivility confirms no less.—FTLN 1339Good Doctor Pinch, you are a conjurer;FTLN 1340Establish him in his true sense again,FTLN 1341And I will please you what you will demand.LUCIANAFTLN 1342Alas, how fiery and how sharp he looks!COURTESANFTLN 134355Mark how he trembles in his ecstasy.PINCH, to Antipholus of EphesusFTLN 1344Give me your hand, and let me feel your pulse.

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ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS, striking PinchFTLN 1345There is my hand, and let it feel your ear.PINCHFTLN 1346I charge thee, Satan, housed within this man,FTLN 1347To yield possession to my holy prayers,FTLN 134860And to thy state of darkness hie thee straight.FTLN 1349I conjure thee by all the saints in heaven.ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUSFTLN 1350Peace, doting wizard, peace. I am not mad.ADRIANAFTLN 1351O, that thou wert not, poor distressèd soul!ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUSFTLN 1352You minion, you, are these your customers?FTLN 135365Did this companion with the saffron faceFTLN 1354Revel and feast it at my house todayFTLN 1355Whilst upon me the guilty doors were shutFTLN 1356And I denied to enter in my house?ADRIANAFTLN 1357O husband, God doth know you dined at home,FTLN 135870Where would you had remained until this time,FTLN 1359Free from these slanders and this open shame.ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUSFTLN 1360“Dined at home”?To Dromio. Thou villain, whatFTLN 1361sayest thou?DROMIO OF EPHESUSFTLN 1362Sir, sooth to say, you did not dine at home.ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUSFTLN 136375Were not my doors locked up and I shut out?DROMIO OF EPHESUSFTLN 1364Perdie, your doors were locked, and you shut out.ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUSFTLN 1365And did not she herself revile me there?DROMIO OF EPHESUSFTLN 1366Sans fable, she herself reviled you there.ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUSFTLN 1367Did not her kitchen maid rail, taunt, and scorn me?

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DROMIO OF EPHESUSFTLN 136880Certes, she did; the kitchen vestal scorned you.ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUSFTLN 1369And did not I in rage depart from thence?DROMIO OF EPHESUSFTLN 1370In verity you did.—My bones bears witness,FTLN 1371That since have felt the vigor of his rage.ADRIANA, to PinchFTLN 1372Is ’t good to soothe him in these contraries?PINCHFTLN 137385It is no shame. The fellow finds his veinFTLN 1374And, yielding to him, humors well his frenzy.ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS, to AdrianaFTLN 1375Thou hast suborned the goldsmith to arrest me.ADRIANAFTLN 1376Alas, I sent you money to redeem youFTLN 1377By Dromio here, who came in haste for it.DROMIO OF EPHESUSFTLN 137890Money by me? Heart and goodwill you might,FTLN 1379But surely, master, not a rag of money.ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUSFTLN 1380Went’st not thou to her for a purse of ducats?ADRIANAFTLN 1381He came to me, and I delivered it.LUCIANAFTLN 1382And I am witness with her that she did.DROMIO OF EPHESUSFTLN 138395God and the rope-maker bear me witnessFTLN 1384That I was sent for nothing but a rope.PINCHFTLN 1385Mistress, both man and master is possessed.FTLN 1386I know it by their pale and deadly looks.FTLN 1387They must be bound and laid in some dark room.ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS, to AdrianaFTLN 1388100Say wherefore didst thou lock me forth today.

PINCHFTLN 1401More company! The fiend is strong within him.LUCIANAFTLN 1402Ay me, poor man, how pale and wan he looks!ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUSFTLN 1403115What, will you murder me?—Thou jailer, thou,FTLN 1404I am thy prisoner. Wilt thou suffer themFTLN 1405To make a rescue?OFFICERFTLN 1406Masters, let him go.FTLN 1407He is my prisoner, and you shall not have him.PINCHFTLN 1408120Go, bind this man, for he is frantic too.Dromio is bound.ADRIANA, to OfficerFTLN 1409What wilt thou do, thou peevish officer?FTLN 1410Hast thou delight to see a wretched manFTLN 1411Do outrage and displeasure to himself?

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OFFICERFTLN 1412He is my prisoner. If I let him go,FTLN 1413125The debt he owes will be required of me.ADRIANAFTLN 1414I will discharge thee ere I go from thee.FTLN 1415Bear me forthwith unto his creditor,FTLN 1416And knowing how the debt grows, I will pay it.—FTLN 1417Good Master Doctor, see him safe conveyedFTLN 1418130Home to my house. O most unhappy day!ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUSFTLN 1419O most unhappy strumpet!DROMIO OF EPHESUSFTLN 1420Master, I am here entered in bond for you.ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUSFTLN 1421Out on thee, villain! Wherefore dost thou mad me?DROMIO OF EPHESUSFTLN 1422Will you be bound for nothing? Be mad, goodFTLN 1423135master.FTLN 1424Cry “The devil!”LUCIANAFTLN 1425God help poor souls! How idly do they talk!ADRIANA, to PinchFTLN 1426Go bear him hence.Pinch and his men exit with Antipholusand Dromio of Ephesus.Officer, Adriana, Luciana, Courtesan remain.FTLN 1427Sister, go you with me.FTLN 1428140To Officer.Say now whose suit is he arrested at.OFFICERFTLN 1429One Angelo, a goldsmith. Do you know him?ADRIANAFTLN 1430I know the man. What is the sum he owes?OFFICERFTLN 1431Two hundred ducats.ADRIANAFTLN 1432Say, how grows it due?OFFICERFTLN 1433145Due for a chain your husband had of him.

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ADRIANAFTLN 1434He did bespeak a chain for me but had it not.COURTESANFTLN 1435Whenas your husband all in rage todayFTLN 1436Came to my house and took away my ring,FTLN 1437The ring I saw upon his finger now,FTLN 1438150Straight after did I meet him with a chain.ADRIANAFTLN 1439It may be so, but I did never see it.—FTLN 1440Come, jailer, bring me where the goldsmith is.FTLN 1441I long to know the truth hereof at large.

Enter Antipholus of Syracuse with his rapier drawn,and Dromio of Syracuse.

LUCIANAFTLN 1442God for Thy mercy, they are loose again!ADRIANAFTLN 1443155And come with naked swords. Let’s call more helpFTLN 1444To have them bound again.OFFICERFTLN 1445Away! They’ll kill us.Run all out as fast as may be, frighted.Antipholus and Dromio of Syracuse remain.ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSEFTLN 1446I see these witches are afraid of swords.DROMIO OF SYRACUSEFTLN 1447She that would be your wife now ran from you.ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSEFTLN 1448160Come to the Centaur. Fetch our stuff from thence.FTLN 1449I long that we were safe and sound aboard.DROMIO OF SYRACUSEFTLN 1450Faith, stay here this night. TheyFTLN 1451will surely do us no harm. You saw they speak usFTLN 1452fair, give us gold. Methinks they are such a gentleFTLN 1453165nation that, but for the mountain of mad flesh thatFTLN 1454claims marriage of me, I could find in my heart toFTLN 1455stay here still, and turn witch.

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ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSEFTLN 1456I will not stay tonight for all the town.FTLN 1457Therefore, away, to get our stuff aboard.They exit.

ACT 5

Scene 1

Enter the Second Merchant and Angelo theGoldsmith.

ANGELOFTLN 1458I am sorry, sir, that I have hindered you,FTLN 1459But I protest he had the chain of me,FTLN 1460Though most dishonestly he doth deny it.SECOND MERCHANTFTLN 1461How is the man esteemed here in the city?ANGELOFTLN 14625Of very reverend reputation, sir,FTLN 1463Of credit infinite, highly beloved,FTLN 1464Second to none that lives here in the city.FTLN 1465His word might bear my wealth at any time.SECOND MERCHANTFTLN 1466Speak softly. Yonder, as I think, he walks.

Enter Antipholus and Dromio of Syracuse again,Antipholus wearing the chain.

ANGELOFTLN 146710’Tis so, and that self chain about his neckFTLN 1468Which he forswore most monstrously to have.FTLN 1469Good sir, draw near to me. I’ll speak to him.—FTLN 1470Signior Antipholus, I wonder muchFTLN 1471That you would put me to this shame and trouble,FTLN 147215And not without some scandal to yourself,

129

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FTLN 1473With circumstance and oaths so to denyFTLN 1474This chain, which now you wear so openly.FTLN 1475Besides the charge, the shame, imprisonment,FTLN 1476You have done wrong to this my honest friend,FTLN 147720Who, but for staying on our controversy,FTLN 1478Had hoisted sail and put to sea today.FTLN 1479This chain you had of me. Can you deny it?ANTIPHOLUS OFSYRACUSEFTLN 1480I think I had. I never did deny it.SECOND MERCHANTFTLN 1481Yes, that you did, sir, and forswore it too.ANTIPHOLUS OFSYRACUSEFTLN 148225Who heard me to deny it or forswear it?SECOND MERCHANTFTLN 1483These ears of mine, thou know’st, did hear thee.FTLN 1484Fie on thee, wretch. ’Tis pity that thou liv’stFTLN 1485To walk where any honest men resort.ANTIPHOLUS OFSYRACUSEFTLN 1486Thou art a villain to impeach me thus.FTLN 148730I’ll prove mine honor and mine honestyFTLN 1488Against thee presently if thou dar’st stand.SECOND MERCHANTFTLN 1489I dare, and do defy thee for a villain.They draw.

Enter Adriana, Luciana, Courtesan, and others.

ADRIANAFTLN 1490Hold, hurt him not, for God’s sake. He is mad.—FTLN 1491Some get within him; take his sword away.FTLN 149235Bind Dromio too, and bear them to my house!DROMIO OF SYRACUSEFTLN 1493Run, master, run. For God’s sake, take a house.FTLN 1494This is some priory. In, or we are spoiled.Antipholus and Dromio of Syracuseexit to the Priory.

Enter Lady Abbess.

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ABBESSFTLN 1495Be quiet, people. Wherefore throng you hither?ADRIANAFTLN 1496To fetch my poor distracted husband hence.FTLN 149740Let us come in, that we may bind him fastFTLN 1498And bear him home for his recovery.ANGELOFTLN 1499I knew he was not in his perfect wits.SECOND MERCHANTFTLN 1500I am sorry now that I did draw on him.ABBESSFTLN 1501How long hath this possession held the man?ADRIANAFTLN 150245This week he hath been heavy, sour, sad,FTLN 1503And much different from the man he was.FTLN 1504But till this afternoon his passionFTLN 1505Ne’er brake into extremity of rage.ABBESSFTLN 1506Hath he not lost much wealth by wrack of sea?FTLN 150750Buried some dear friend? Hath not else his eyeFTLN 1508Strayed his affection in unlawful love,FTLN 1509A sin prevailing much in youthful menFTLN 1510Who give their eyes the liberty of gazing?FTLN 1511Which of these sorrows is he subject to?ADRIANAFTLN 151255To none of these, except it be the last,FTLN 1513Namely, some love that drew him oft from home.ABBESSFTLN 1514You should for that have reprehended him.ADRIANAFTLN 1515Why, so I did.ABBESSFTLN 1516Ay, but not rough enough.ADRIANAFTLN 151760As roughly as my modesty would let me.ABBESSFTLN 1518Haply in private.

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ADRIANAFTLN 1519And in assemblies too.ABBESSFTLN 1520Ay, but not enough.ADRIANAFTLN 1521It was the copy of our conference.FTLN 152265In bed he slept not for my urging it;FTLN 1523At board he fed not for my urging it.FTLN 1524Alone, it was the subject of my theme;FTLN 1525In company I often glancèd it.FTLN 1526Still did I tell him it was vile and bad.ABBESSFTLN 152770And thereof came it that the man was mad.FTLN 1528The venom clamors of a jealous womanFTLN 1529Poisons more deadly than a mad dog’s tooth.FTLN 1530It seems his sleeps were hindered by thy railing,FTLN 1531And thereof comes it that his head is light.FTLN 153275Thou sayst his meat was sauced with thyFTLN 1533upbraidings.FTLN 1534Unquiet meals make ill digestions.FTLN 1535Thereof the raging fire of fever bred,FTLN 1536And what’s a fever but a fit of madness?FTLN 153780Thou sayest his sports were hindered by thy brawls.FTLN 1538Sweet recreation barred, what doth ensueFTLN 1539But moody and dull melancholy,FTLN 1540Kinsman to grim and comfortless despair,FTLN 1541And at her heels a huge infectious troopFTLN 154285Of pale distemperatures and foes to life?FTLN 1543In food, in sport, and life-preserving restFTLN 1544To be disturbed would mad or man or beast.FTLN 1545The consequence is, then, thy jealous fitsFTLN 1546Hath scared thy husband from the use of wits.LUCIANAFTLN 154790She never reprehended him but mildlyFTLN 1548When he demeaned himself rough, rude, andFTLN 1549wildly.—FTLN 1550Why bear you these rebukes and answer not?

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ADRIANAFTLN 1551She did betray me to my own reproof.—FTLN 155295Good people, enter and lay hold on him.ABBESSFTLN 1553No, not a creature enters in my house.ADRIANAFTLN 1554Then let your servants bring my husband forth.ABBESSFTLN 1555Neither. He took this place for sanctuary,FTLN 1556And it shall privilege him from your handsFTLN 1557100Till I have brought him to his wits againFTLN 1558Or lose my labor in assaying it.ADRIANAFTLN 1559I will attend my husband, be his nurse,FTLN 1560Diet his sickness, for it is my officeFTLN 1561And will have no attorney but myself;FTLN 1562105And therefore let me have him home with me.ABBESSFTLN 1563Be patient, for I will not let him stirFTLN 1564Till I have used the approvèd means I have,FTLN 1565With wholesome syrups, drugs, and holy prayers,FTLN 1566To make of him a formal man again.FTLN 1567110It is a branch and parcel of mine oath,FTLN 1568A charitable duty of my order.FTLN 1569Therefore depart and leave him here with me.ADRIANAFTLN 1570I will not hence and leave my husband here;FTLN 1571And ill it doth beseem your holinessFTLN 1572115To separate the husband and the wife.ABBESSFTLN 1573Be quiet and depart. Thou shalt not have him.She exits.LUCIANA, to AdrianaFTLN 1574Complain unto the Duke of this indignity.ADRIANAFTLN 1575Come, go. I will fall prostrate at his feetFTLN 1576And never rise until my tears and prayers

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FTLN 1577120Have won his grace to come in person hitherFTLN 1578And take perforce my husband from the Abbess.SECOND MERCHANTFTLN 1579By this, I think, the dial points at five.FTLN 1580Anon, I’m sure, the Duke himself in personFTLN 1581Comes this way to the melancholy vale,FTLN 1582125The place of death and sorry executionFTLN 1583Behind the ditches of the abbey here.ANGELOFTLN 1584Upon what cause?SECOND MERCHANTFTLN 1585To see a reverend Syracusian merchant,FTLN 1586Who put unluckily into this bayFTLN 1587130Against the laws and statutes of this town,FTLN 1588Beheaded publicly for his offense.ANGELOFTLN 1589See where they come. We will behold his death.LUCIANA, to AdrianaFTLN 1590Kneel to the Duke before he pass the abbey.

Enter the Duke of Ephesus, and Egeon the Merchantof Syracuse, bare head, with the Headsmanand other Officers.

DUKEFTLN 1591Yet once again proclaim it publicly,FTLN 1592135If any friend will pay the sum for him,FTLN 1593He shall not die; so much we tender him.ADRIANA, kneelingFTLN 1594Justice, most sacred duke, against the Abbess.DUKEFTLN 1595She is a virtuous and a reverend lady.FTLN 1596It cannot be that she hath done thee wrong.ADRIANAFTLN 1597140May it please your Grace, Antipholus my husband,FTLN 1598Who I made lord of me and all I hadFTLN 1599At your important letters, this ill dayFTLN 1600A most outrageous fit of madness took him,

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FTLN 1601That desp’rately he hurried through the street,FTLN 1602145With him his bondman, all as mad as he,FTLN 1603Doing displeasure to the citizensFTLN 1604By rushing in their houses, bearing thenceFTLN 1605Rings, jewels, anything his rage did like.FTLN 1606Once did I get him bound and sent him homeFTLN 1607150Whilst to take order for the wrongs I wentFTLN 1608That here and there his fury had committed.FTLN 1609Anon, I wot not by what strong escape,FTLN 1610He broke from those that had the guard of him,FTLN 1611And with his mad attendant and himself,FTLN 1612155Each one with ireful passion, with drawn swords,FTLN 1613Met us again and, madly bent on us,FTLN 1614Chased us away, till raising of more aid,FTLN 1615We came again to bind them. Then they fledFTLN 1616Into this abbey, whither we pursued them,FTLN 1617160And here the Abbess shuts the gates on usFTLN 1618And will not suffer us to fetch him out,FTLN 1619Nor send him forth that we may bear him hence.FTLN 1620Therefore, most gracious duke, with thy commandFTLN 1621Let him be brought forth and borne hence for help.DUKEFTLN 1622165Long since, thy husband served me in my wars,FTLN 1623And I to thee engaged a prince’s word,FTLN 1624When thou didst make him master of thy bed,FTLN 1625To do him all the grace and good I could.FTLN 1626Go, some of you, knock at the abbey gate,FTLN 1627170And bid the Lady Abbess come to me.FTLN 1628I will determine this before I stir.Adriana rises.

Enter a Messenger.

MESSENGERFTLN 1629O mistress, mistress, shift and save yourself.FTLN 1630My master and his man are both broke loose,FTLN 1631Beaten the maids a-row, and bound the doctor,

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FTLN 1632175Whose beard they have singed off with brands ofFTLN 1633fire,FTLN 1634And ever as it blazed they threw on himFTLN 1635Great pails of puddled mire to quench the hair.FTLN 1636My master preaches patience to him, and the whileFTLN 1637180His man with scissors nicks him like a fool;FTLN 1638And sure, unless you send some present help,FTLN 1639Between them they will kill the conjurer.ADRIANAFTLN 1640Peace, fool. Thy master and his man are here,FTLN 1641And that is false thou dost report to us.MESSENGERFTLN 1642185Mistress, upon my life I tell you true.FTLN 1643I have not breathed almost since I did see it.FTLN 1644He cries for you and vows, if he can take you,FTLN 1645To scorch your face and to disfigure you.Cry within.FTLN 1646Hark, hark, I hear him, mistress. Fly, begone!DUKEFTLN 1647190Come, stand by me. Fear nothing.—Guard withFTLN 1648halberds.

Enter Antipholus and Dromio of Ephesus.

ADRIANAFTLN 1649Ay me, it is my husband. Witness youFTLN 1650That he is borne about invisible.FTLN 1651Even now we housed him in the abbey here,FTLN 1652195And now he’s there, past thought of human reason.ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUSFTLN 1653Justice, most gracious duke. O, grant me justice,FTLN 1654Even for the service that long since I did theeFTLN 1655When I bestrid thee in the wars and tookFTLN 1656Deep scars to save thy life. Even for the bloodFTLN 1657200That then I lost for thee, now grant me justice.EGEON, asideFTLN 1658Unless the fear of death doth make me dote,FTLN 1659I see my son Antipholus and Dromio.

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ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUSFTLN 1660Justice, sweet prince, against that woman there,FTLN 1661She whom thou gav’st to me to be my wife,FTLN 1662205That hath abusèd and dishonored meFTLN 1663Even in the strength and height of injury.FTLN 1664Beyond imagination is the wrongFTLN 1665That she this day hath shameless thrown on me.DUKEFTLN 1666Discover how, and thou shalt find me just.ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUSFTLN 1667210This day, great duke, she shut the doors upon meFTLN 1668While she with harlots feasted in my house.DUKEFTLN 1669A grievous fault.—Say, woman, didst thou so?ADRIANAFTLN 1670No, my good lord. Myself, he, and my sisterFTLN 1671Today did dine together. So befall my soulFTLN 1672215As this is false he burdens me withal.LUCIANAFTLN 1673Ne’er may I look on day nor sleep on nightFTLN 1674But she tells to your Highness simple truth.ANGELOFTLN 1675O perjured woman!—They are both forsworn.FTLN 1676In this the madman justly chargeth them.ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUSFTLN 1677220My liege, I am advisèd what I say,FTLN 1678Neither disturbed with the effect of wine,FTLN 1679Nor heady-rash provoked with raging ire,FTLN 1680Albeit my wrongs might make one wiser mad.FTLN 1681This woman locked me out this day from dinner.FTLN 1682225That goldsmith there, were he not packed with her,FTLN 1683Could witness it, for he was with me then,FTLN 1684Who parted with me to go fetch a chain,FTLN 1685Promising to bring it to the Porpentine,FTLN 1686Where Balthasar and I did dine together.FTLN 1687230Our dinner done and he not coming thither,

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FTLN 1688I went to seek him. In the street I met him,FTLN 1689And in his company that gentleman.He points to Second Merchant.FTLN 1690There did this perjured goldsmith swear me downFTLN 1691That I this day of him received the chain,FTLN 1692235Which, God He knows, I saw not; for the whichFTLN 1693He did arrest me with an officer.FTLN 1694I did obey and sent my peasant homeFTLN 1695For certain ducats. He with none returned.FTLN 1696Then fairly I bespoke the officerFTLN 1697240To go in person with me to my house.FTLN 1698By th’ way we metFTLN 1699My wife, her sister, and a rabble moreFTLN 1700Of vile confederates. Along with themFTLN 1701They brought one Pinch, a hungry, lean-facedFTLN 1702245villain,FTLN 1703A mere anatomy, a mountebank,FTLN 1704A threadbare juggler, and a fortune-teller,FTLN 1705A needy, hollow-eyed, sharp-looking wretch,FTLN 1706A living dead man. This pernicious slave,FTLN 1707250Forsooth, took on him as a conjurer,FTLN 1708And, gazing in mine eyes, feeling my pulse,FTLN 1709And with no face (as ’twere) outfacing me,FTLN 1710Cries out I was possessed. Then all togetherFTLN 1711They fell upon me, bound me, bore me thence,FTLN 1712255And in a dark and dankish vault at homeFTLN 1713There left me and my man, both bound together,FTLN 1714Till gnawing with my teeth my bonds in sunder,FTLN 1715I gained my freedom and immediatelyFTLN 1716Ran hither to your Grace, whom I beseechFTLN 1717260To give me ample satisfactionFTLN 1718For these deep shames and great indignities.ANGELOFTLN 1719My lord, in truth, thus far I witness with him:FTLN 1720That he dined not at home, but was locked out.

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DUKEFTLN 1721But had he such a chain of thee or no?ANGELOFTLN 1722265He had, my lord, and when he ran in here,FTLN 1723These people saw the chain about his neck.SECOND MERCHANT, to Antipholus of EphesusFTLN 1724Besides, I will be sworn these ears of mineFTLN 1725Heard you confess you had the chain of himFTLN 1726After you first forswore it on the mart,FTLN 1727270And thereupon I drew my sword on you,FTLN 1728And then you fled into this abbey here,FTLN 1729From whence I think you are come by miracle.ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUSFTLN 1730I never came within these abbey walls,FTLN 1731Nor ever didst thou draw thy sword on me.FTLN 1732275I never saw the chain, so help me heaven,FTLN 1733And this is false you burden me withal.DUKEFTLN 1734Why, what an intricate impeach is this!FTLN 1735I think you all have drunk of Circe’s cup.FTLN 1736If here you housed him, here he would have been.FTLN 1737280If he were mad, he would not plead so coldly.FTLN 1738To Adriana.You say he dined at home; theFTLN 1739goldsmith hereFTLN 1740Denies that saying.To Dromio of Ephesus. Sirrah,FTLN 1741what say you?DROMIO OF EPHESUS, pointing to the CourtesanFTLN 1742285Sir, he dined with her there at the Porpentine.COURTESANFTLN 1743He did, and from my finger snatched that ring.ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS, showing a ringFTLN 1744’Tis true, my liege, this ring I had of her.DUKE, to CourtesanFTLN 1745Saw’st thou him enter at the abbey here?COURTESANFTLN 1746As sure, my liege, as I do see your Grace.

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DUKEFTLN 1747290Why, this is strange.—Go call the Abbess hither.Exit one to the Abbess.FTLN 1748I think you are all mated or stark mad.EGEONFTLN 1749Most mighty duke, vouchsafe me speak a word.FTLN 1750Haply I see a friend will save my lifeFTLN 1751And pay the sum that may deliver me.DUKEFTLN 1752295Speak freely, Syracusian, what thou wilt.EGEON, to Antipholus of EphesusFTLN 1753Is not your name, sir, called Antipholus?FTLN 1754And is not that your bondman Dromio?DROMIO OF EPHESUSFTLN 1755Within this hour I was his bondman, sir,FTLN 1756But he, I thank him, gnawed in two my cords.FTLN 1757300Now am I Dromio, and his man, unbound.EGEONFTLN 1758I am sure you both of you remember me.DROMIO OF EPHESUSFTLN 1759Ourselves we do remember, sir, by you,FTLN 1760For lately we were bound as you are now.FTLN 1761You are not Pinch’s patient, are you, sir?EGEON, to Antipholus of EphesusFTLN 1762305Why look you strange on me? You know me well.ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUSFTLN 1763I never saw you in my life till now.EGEONFTLN 1764O, grief hath changed me since you saw me last,FTLN 1765And careful hours with time’s deformèd handFTLN 1766Have written strange defeatures in my face.FTLN 1767310But tell me yet, dost thou not know my voice?ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUSFTLN 1768Neither.EGEONFTLN 1769Dromio, nor thou?DROMIO OF EPHESUSFTLN 1770No, trust me, sir, nor I.

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EGEONFTLN 1771I am sure thou dost.DROMIO OF EPHESUSFTLN 1772315Ay, sir, but I am sure I do not, andFTLN 1773whatsoever a man denies, you are now bound toFTLN 1774believe him.EGEONFTLN 1775Not know my voice! O time’s extremity,FTLN 1776Hast thou so cracked and splitted my poor tongueFTLN 1777320In seven short years that here my only sonFTLN 1778Knows not my feeble key of untuned cares?FTLN 1779Though now this grainèd face of mine be hidFTLN 1780In sap-consuming winter’s drizzled snow,FTLN 1781And all the conduits of my blood froze up,FTLN 1782325Yet hath my night of life some memory,FTLN 1783My wasting lamps some fading glimmer left,FTLN 1784My dull deaf ears a little use to hear.FTLN 1785All these old witnesses—I cannot err—FTLN 1786Tell me thou art my son Antipholus.ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUSFTLN 1787330I never saw my father in my life.EGEONFTLN 1788But seven years since, in Syracusa, boy,FTLN 1789Thou know’st we parted. But perhaps, my son,FTLN 1790Thou sham’st to acknowledge me in misery.ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUSFTLN 1791The Duke and all that know me in the cityFTLN 1792335Can witness with me that it is not so.FTLN 1793I ne’er saw Syracusa in my life.DUKEFTLN 1794I tell thee, Syracusian, twenty yearsFTLN 1795Have I been patron to Antipholus,FTLN 1796During which time he ne’er saw Syracusa.FTLN 1797340I see thy age and dangers make thee dote.

Enter Emilia the Abbess, with Antipholus ofSyracuse and Dromio of Syracuse.

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ABBESSFTLN 1798Most mighty duke, behold a man much wronged.All gather to see them.ADRIANAFTLN 1799I see two husbands, or mine eyes deceive me.DUKEFTLN 1800One of these men is genius to the other.FTLN 1801And so, of these, which is the natural manFTLN 1802345And which the spirit? Who deciphers them?DROMIO OF SYRACUSEFTLN 1803I, sir, am Dromio. Command him away.DROMIO OF EPHESUSFTLN 1804I, sir, am Dromio. Pray, let me stay.ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSEFTLN 1805Egeon art thou not, or else his ghost?DROMIO OF SYRACUSEFTLN 1806O, my old master.—Who hath bound him here?ABBESSFTLN 1807350Whoever bound him, I will loose his bondsFTLN 1808And gain a husband by his liberty.—FTLN 1809Speak, old Egeon, if thou be’st the manFTLN 1810That hadst a wife once called Emilia,FTLN 1811That bore thee at a burden two fair sons.FTLN 1812355O, if thou be’st the same Egeon, speak,FTLN 1813And speak unto the same Emilia.DUKEFTLN 1814Why, here begins his morning story right:FTLN 1815These two Antipholus’, these two so like,FTLN 1816And these two Dromios, one in semblance—FTLN 1817360Besides her urging of her wrack at sea—FTLN 1818These are the parents to these children,FTLN 1819Which accidentally are met together.EGEONFTLN 1820If I dream not, thou art Emilia.FTLN 1821If thou art she, tell me, where is that sonFTLN 1822365That floated with thee on the fatal raft?

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ABBESSFTLN 1823By men of Epidamium he and IFTLN 1824And the twin Dromio all were taken up;FTLN 1825But by and by rude fishermen of CorinthFTLN 1826By force took Dromio and my son from them,FTLN 1827370And me they left with those of Epidamium.FTLN 1828What then became of them I cannot tell;FTLN 1829I to this fortune that you see me in.DUKE, to Antipholus of SyracuseFTLN 1830Antipholus, thou cam’st from Corinth first.ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSEFTLN 1831No, sir, not I. I came from Syracuse.DUKEFTLN 1832375Stay, stand apart. I know not which is which.ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUSFTLN 1833I came from Corinth, my most gracious lord.DROMIO OF EPHESUSFTLN 1834And I with him.ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUSFTLN 1835Brought to this town by that most famous warriorFTLN 1836Duke Menaphon, your most renownèd uncle.ADRIANAFTLN 1837380Which of you two did dine with me today?ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSEFTLN 1838I, gentle mistress.ADRIANAFTLN 1839And are not you my husband?ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUSFTLN 1840No, I say nay to that.ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSEFTLN 1841And so do I, yet did she call me so,FTLN 1842385And this fair gentlewoman, her sister here,FTLN 1843Did call me brother.To Luciana. What I told youFTLN 1844thenFTLN 1845I hope I shall have leisure to make good,FTLN 1846If this be not a dream I see and hear.ANGELO, turning to Antipholus of SyracuseFTLN 1847390That is the chain, sir, which you had of me.

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ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSEFTLN 1848I think it be, sir. I deny it not.ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS, to AngeloFTLN 1849And you, sir, for this chain arrested me.ANGELOFTLN 1850I think I did, sir. I deny it not.ADRIANA, to Antipholus of EphesusFTLN 1851I sent you money, sir, to be your bailFTLN 1852395By Dromio, but I think he brought it not.DROMIO OF EPHESUSFTLN 1853No, none by me.ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE, to AdrianaFTLN 1854This purse of ducats I received from you,FTLN 1855And Dromio my man did bring them me.FTLN 1856I see we still did meet each other’s man,FTLN 1857400And I was ta’en for him, and he for me,FTLN 1858And thereupon these errors are arose.ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS, to the DukeFTLN 1859These ducats pawn I for my father here.DUKEFTLN 1860It shall not need. Thy father hath his life.COURTESAN, to Antipholus of EphesusFTLN 1861Sir, I must have that diamond from you.ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUSFTLN 1862405There, take it, and much thanks for my good cheer.ABBESSFTLN 1863Renownèd duke, vouchsafe to take the painsFTLN 1864To go with us into the abbey hereFTLN 1865And hear at large discoursèd all our fortunes,FTLN 1866And all that are assembled in this placeFTLN 1867410That by this sympathizèd one day’s errorFTLN 1868Have suffered wrong. Go, keep us company,FTLN 1869And we shall make full satisfaction.—FTLN 1870Thirty-three years have I but gone in travailFTLN 1871Of you, my sons, and till this present hourFTLN 1872415My heavy burden ne’er deliverèd.—FTLN 1873The Duke, my husband, and my children both,

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FTLN 1874And you, the calendars of their nativity,FTLN 1875Go to a gossips’ feast, and go with me.FTLN 1876After so long grief, such nativity!DUKEFTLN 1877420With all my heart I’ll gossip at this feast.All exit except the two Dromiosand the two brothers Antipholus.DROMIO OF SYRACUSE, to Antipholus of EphesusFTLN 1878Master, shall I fetch your stuff from shipboard?ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUSFTLN 1879Dromio, what stuff of mine hast thou embarked?DROMIO OF SYRACUSEFTLN 1880Your goods that lay at host, sir, in the Centaur.ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE, to Antipholus of EphesusFTLN 1881He speaks to me.—I am your master, Dromio.FTLN 1882425Come, go with us. We’ll look to that anon.FTLN 1883Embrace thy brother there. Rejoice with him.The brothers Antipholus exit.DROMIO OF SYRACUSEFTLN 1884There is a fat friend at your master’s houseFTLN 1885That kitchened me for you today at dinner.FTLN 1886She now shall be my sister, not my wife.DROMIO OF EPHESUSFTLN 1887430Methinks you are my glass, and not my brother.FTLN 1888I see by you I am a sweet-faced youth.FTLN 1889Will you walk in to see their gossiping?DROMIO OF SYRACUSEFTLN 1890Not I, sir. You are my elder.DROMIO OF EPHESUSFTLN 1891That’s a question. How shall weFTLN 1892435try it?DROMIO OF SYRACUSEFTLN 1893We’ll draw cuts for the signior.FTLN 1894Till then, lead thou first.DROMIO OF EPHESUSFTLN 1895Nay, then, thus:FTLN 1896We came into the world like brother and brother,FTLN 1897440And now let’s go hand in hand, not one beforeFTLN 1898another.They exit.